How To Adopt an Attitude of Lighthearted Happiness

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How To Adopt an Attitude of Lighthearted Happiness

written by Jeff Cohen, Founder

[source: Solve Your Problem, A Self-Help & Personal Development Community]

Are you yearning for a greater sense of happiness in your life but feel weighed down by problems? If so, try adopting an attitude of lightheartedness and watch how quickly it can inject an element of fun and whimsy into your life.

Here are three simple ways to do it:

1. Play

Most of us tend to take life so seriously. Sure, life can definitely be serious at times, and there are certainly things that we should take seriously - but we also don’t need to be so serious ALL the time! Instead, try your best to have more fun as often as you can. Either spend time doing things you enjoy, or simply make your regular activities more fun. Not sure that your regular activities can be fun? Nearly any task or chore can be lightened up a bit - even mundane chores around the house. Take, for example, house work or yard work. Who says you have to grudgingly perform those tasks? Why not put on some funky music and dance around while you do them? Why not listen to a stand-up comedy routine on CD and laugh while you do them? All it takes is a shift in perspective to make something fun and lighthearted.

2. Get inspired

If you’re used to directing most of your focus toward lack or negativity, it can be helpful to start lifting your perspective to a higher place. One way to do that is to purposely concentrate on things that inspire you. You can read uplifting books or watch inspirational movies; or even buy a book of motivational quotes and read a few each day. You can also choose to be inspired by the things you see in your daily travels. For example, rather than rushing distractedly to and from appointments, take a few minutes to pause and gaze around. Notice how the sunshine plays on the trees and flowers, making them glow with beauty. Rather than getting annoyed at your children when they play with their dinner, marvel at their creativity and sense of humor. Take a walk during your lunch hour and breathe deeply of the fresh air, smile at strangers and make an effort to remember what a miracle life is. No matter how you do it, let your heart and mind soar to a place of joy and inspiration, and you’ll automatically feel more lighthearted, and happy!

3. Unload your worries

It’s difficult to feel lighthearted and happy when you’re besieged by stress and worry. Rather than carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders (or in your heart), write your problems and worries on a sheet of paper and place it in a box or drawer. Affirm that for the next few hours, you’re not going to think about those things. Then shift your attention to things that make you feel better, like spending time with loved ones or engaging in favorite hobbies. When worrisome thoughts pop back into your mind, firmly set them aside again and remind yourself that you’re not going to focus on them right now. It may sound overly simple but it really works! With enough practice you eventually reach a point of knowing that worrying and obsessing isn’t helping matters, so you decide not to do it for awhile - and you instantly feel more lighthearted and happy.

When it comes right down to it, feeling happy is a choice you make from moment to moment. Happiness won’t make all of your challenges vanish, but choosing to focus more on the lighter side of life can definitely make you feel better – and who knows, it might even give you the mental and emotional distance you need to come up with creative solutions that you would have missed if you’d been too busy worrying!

The Power to Change Your Life: Ten Keys to Resilient Living

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The Power to Change Your Life: Ten Keys to Resilient Living

[source: Dr. Robert Brooks, Resilience, Motivation and Family Relationships]

Stress Hardiness and a Resilient Mindset

These statistics might prompt some people to become even more worried, but that is not our intention. If we recognize the effect stress has on our lives, we will be better prepared to manage it and learn to lead more productive, satisfying, healthy, and resilient lives. Being resilient does not mean we eliminate all risks or adverse conditions, but rather when they arise we deal with these conditions effectively.

Resilient individuals possess a particular mindset and accompanying skills that help them respond to life’s challenges with confidence and grace. What are the features of this mindset? What assumptions do resilient people have about themselves that reduce their vulnerability to stress and help them to cope more productively? Certainly, one’s lifestyle, including exercise, diet, and sleep all influence the effectiveness with which stress is managed. But how do you nurture such a healthy existence? In this article, we will describe ten keys for developing stress hardiness and a resilient mindset and lifestyle. As you read about each key, ask yourself, “Am I practicing this? If not, what must I change to strengthen my resilient mindset?” Also, remember that changing one’s mindset and behavior takes time. Be realistic in what you can accomplish within a certain timeframe. Each small step leads to reaching a larger goal.

Key #1: Rewrite Your Negative Scripts

Do you find yourself saying or doing the same ineffective things over and over again? It is impressive how many people do. We often become trapped, blindly following a prescribed script that does not allow for change or creativity in the face of stress and problems. Yet, we are the authors of our lives. We can move from less satisfying, less productive scripts, to ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving that foster a resilient mindset. Identify the negative scripts in your life or things you would like to change. Define short and long-term goals related to these issues. Consider new scripts, select one that you believe has the greatest chance for success, plan for obstacles, and follow through. Change cannot take place unless we become active participants in our lives.

Key #2: Choose a Path to Become Stress Hardy Rather Than Stressed Out

Research indicates that stress hardy people engage in activities that bring purpose or meaning to their lives whether in their role as parent, spouse, co-worker, or friend or in the volunteer work they do. What would you list as the priorities in your life and do you spend time engaged in these activities? In addition, stress hardy individuals view difficult situations as an expected part of life. When such situations arise, they interpret them as challenges to confront and learn from rather than as stress to avoid. It is helpful to recall that in the Chinese language the same word is used for “crisis” and “opportunity with danger.” Stress hardy people can define the factors over which they have control and those that they don’t, focusing their time and energy on situations within their sphere of influence. You might wish to do the following. Make a list of five things you want to see different in your life and then next to each item write down whether someone else has to change first for you to achieve your goal. If you discover that your happiness is based on another person changing first, whomever it may be, you might be waiting a long time to become happy. You are likely to become increasingly stressed during the wait. You will feel empowered if you focus your time and energy on what you can do differently to improve particular situations.

Key #3: View Life Through the Eyes of Others

Resilient individuals develop satisfying relationships in their lives. A cornerstone of such relationships is the capacity to be empathic and to place oneself inside the shoes of others and see the world through their eyes. To become more empathic ask yourself, “In anything I say or do, what do I hope to accomplish? Do I say or do things in ways that will motivate others to be willing to listen and respond to me? Do I behave towards others in the same way I would like them to behave towards me?” Make a list of the words you hope people would use to describe you and then the words you think they would actually use. Reflect upon what actions you might take to change your behavior so that the two lists of words are more in accord with each other.

Key #4: Communicate Effectively

The ability to communicate effectively is an integral component of resilience and is closely linked to empathy. Effective communication includes an appreciation of how our verbal and nonverbal messages are perceived by others and our capacity to be an active listener. Active listeners attempt to understand what the other person is expressing and even if they disagree they are respectful and validate that they “hear” the other person’s viewpoint. The more effectively we learn to convey our feelings, thoughts, and beliefs verbally and nonverbally, the more successful and resilient we will be.

Key #5: Accept Yourself and Others

If you are to nurture a resilient mindset, you must learn to accept yourself. Acceptance implies possessing realistic expectations and goals, recognizing your strengths as well as vulnerabilities, and leading an authentic, balanced life in which your behaviors are in accord with your values and goals. Make a list of five things that are important to you and consider why these are important. View each item on your list and reflect upon how much of your time and energy is expended to achieve what you have listed. As you learn to accept yourself, as you gain a clear picture of your strengths and vulnerabilities, as you articulate your values, you will be in a position to remove those factors that serve as obstacles to realizing a more honest, enriched life.

Key #6: Make Connections and Display Compassion

It is difficult to be resilient if we do not nurture connections in our lives—connections to other people, to ideals, to our faith, to causes. Psychologist Julius Segal, when discussing individuals who enrich the lives of children, referred to them as “charismatic adults,” people from whom children “gather strength.” Even as adults we need people in our lives from whom we gather strength. In addition, our resilience will be enhanced if we serve as a source of strength and support for others. In this regard, consider the following questions: “Who are the two or three people who serve as charismatic adults in my life? What have they done that has prompted me to list them in this way? What people would say that I am the charismatic adult in their lives, and why? Aside from relationships with people, what other activities in my life supply me with a sense of connectedness? In what ways am I compassionate and giving?” Being connected to and helping others provide meaning to our lives and serve as nutriments for resilience.

Key #7: Learn to Deal with Mistakes

The ways in which we understand and respond to mistakes and failure are an integral part of a resilient mindset. When you make a mistake, what do you tell yourself? How do you react? Resilient people consider mistakes as experiences for learning and growth. They ask themselves, “What can I do differently next time to succeed?” Those who are not resilient typically interpret mistakes as attributable to conditions that cannot be easily corrected, such as a lack of intelligence. They feel defeated by mistakes and often end up blaming others or quitting or refusing to attempt things. Observe what you say to yourself when you make a mistake. It will give you a clue to how resilient you are and what you might have to change.

Key #8: Learn to Deal with Success and Build Islands of Competence

Just as the manner in which we understand and respond to setbacks is an integral part of a resilient mindset so too, is the way we react to successes in our lives. Think about how you understand your achievements. Those who are resilient view their accomplishments as based upon their own resources and strengths. This doesn’t mean they fail to acknowledge the support of others. Rather, they don’t dismiss or minimize what they have achieved. In contrast, people who are not resilient tend to attribute their success to factors outside their control such as luck or chance or fate. Consequently, they are not as confident or optimistic about being successful in the future. There is another feature of resilient people we wish to highlight. While they do not deny their vulnerabilities, they are able to identify their strengths or what we call their “islands of competence.” What would you list as your islands of competence? Do you regularly engage in these strengths to bolster your resilience?

Key #9: Continue Developing Self-Discipline and Self-Control

Self-discipline and self-control play a significant role in our daily activities. When we think before we act, when we consider the feelings of others, when we reflect upon possible solutions to problems, when we behave in a rational and thoughtful way, when we engage in developing a business plan, when we keep from screaming at someone who has done something to make us angry, we are displaying self-discipline and self-control. It is a major component of stress-hardiness and resilience. Self-discipline and self-control must be exercised in the following ways: Accept ownership for your behavior. Be consistent, but not rigid. Become a proactive problem solver, thinking of different solutions before you act. Believe that every problem has a possible solution. Remember that with effort and patience, possible solutions become probable solutions. It is difficult to be resilient and have satisfying relationships if you are impulsive, arbitrary, and unpredictable. We believe that these negative traits can be changed as long as we first acknowledge their existence and then develop a realistic plan of action to modify these counterproductive behaviors.

Key #10: Maintaining Your Resilient Lifestyle Takes Work

If we abandon well-established diets and exercise, our health will suffer. The same principle is true when we consider the maintenance of a resilient lifestyle. Once you have developed the features associated with a resilient mindset and lifestyle, you cannot settle back and assume these qualities will be maintained on automatic pilot. Expected and unexpected challenges will emerge that will test your ability to be resilient. The more you understand the characteristics of resilient individuals, the more you can engage in daily and long-term exercises to maintain, and even strengthen, a resilient mindset. Each and every day consider: “Have I listened and communicated effectively with others? Have I responded to stress, mistakes, and setbacks in thoughtful ways? Have I maintained connections to people, ideals, causes, and faith?” Leading a resilient lifestyle should be in constant focus.

A Resilient Mindset Will Change Your Life

The road towards nurturing a resilient mindset and lifestyle, one that leads to stress hardiness, is neither straightforward, nor direct. The road often contains obstacles and detours that interfere with reaching your destinations. However, the more knowledgeable you are about the components of a resilient mindset, as well as the roadblocks to its attainment, the more diligent you can become to change any existing counterproductive ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. By so doing, you will become better equipped and confident to discover those paths that lead to a productive, fulfilling life, a life that encourages you to plan and dream, to bring joy to others, to laugh, and to appreciate that you truly are the author of your own life.

HAPPY Monday! Sending Some Inspiration Your Way... ♥ Hugs! :)

Watching Karate Kid (1984) On DVD Right Now. One Of My Favorite Inspirational Movies. Happy Camper. 😊

I have felt like God's 'karate kid' for the past decade and now looking back, I am filled with so much gratitude for everyone watching over me in the spirit realm and here on earth. Love you so much! I learned so many new skills and knowledge I would not have if I had not gone through what I did. ❤ Wax on, wax off. ;)

The Karate Kid (1984) is an inspirational classic movie that teaches you how to handle bullies that have made you their target. 

The way of the spiritual martial arts warrior is non aggression response.

And for Christians, vengeance is the Lord's not ours.  

Honk! 

As Jesus Is, So Are You. Revealing Who Jesus Is And What He Came To Do.

Joseph Prince published November 16, 2016: Joseph Prince - As Jesus Is, So Are You. Have boldness in the day of adversity and rise above the storms of life! In this uplifting and powerful message, Joseph Prince shows you how you can practically apply the Bible truth that as Jesus is in heaven, so are you in this world. See how it isn’t limited to your position in Christ, but is applicable to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being too. Be blessed also to know that Jesus sees through the darkest hours to your struggles and will come walking on the storm to rescue you. Become like Him and do the impossible, as you simply keep your eyes on Him!  

I added the picture above to this message I shared with you below.

Matthew 16 AMP

[source: Biblegateway.com]

Pharisees Test Jesus

16 Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus [to get something to use against Him], they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven [which would support His divine authority]. 2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a threatening look.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times? 4 An evil and [morally] unfaithful generation craves a [miraculous] sign; but no sign will be given to it, except the sign of [the prophet] Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.

5 When the disciples reached the other side of the sea, they realized that they had forgotten to bring bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch out and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves that you have no bread? 9 Do you still not understand or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you picked up? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many large baskets you picked up? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the [false] teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter’s Confession of Christ

13 Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.” 17 Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. 19 I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

Jesus Foretells His Death

21 From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples [clearly] that He must go to Jerusalem, and endure many things at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), and be killed, and be raised [from death to life] on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside [to speak to Him privately] and began to reprimand Him, saying, “May God forbid it! This will never happen to You.” 23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on things of God, but on things of man.”

Discipleship Is Costly

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory and majesty of His Father with His angels, and then He will repay each one in accordance with what he has done.

28 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

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Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise)

Matthew 16

[source: Christianity.com]

Commentary on Matthew 16:1-4

The Pharisees and Sadducees were opposed to each other in principles and in conduct; yet they joined against Christ. But they desired a sign of their own choosing: they despised those signs which relieved the necessity of the sick and sorrowful, and called for something else which would gratify the curiosity of the proud. It is great hypocrisy, when we slight the signs of God's ordaining, to seek for signs of our own devising.

Commentary on Matthew 16:5-12

Christ speaks of spiritual things under a similitude, and the disciples misunderstand him of carnal things. He took it ill that they should think him as thoughtful about bread as they were; that they should be so little acquainted with his way of preaching. Then understood they what he meant. Christ teaches by the Spirit of wisdom in the heart, opening the understanding to the Spirit of revelation in the word.

Commentary on Matthew 16:13-20

Peter, for himself and his brethren, said that they were assured of our Lord's being the promised Messiah, the Son of the living God. This showed that they believed Jesus to be more than man. Our Lord declared Peter to be blessed, as the teaching of God made him differ from his unbelieving countrymen. Christ added that he had named him Peter, in allusion to his stability or firmness in professing the truth. The word translated "rock," is not the same word as Peter, but is of a similar meaning. Nothing can be more wrong than to suppose that Christ meant the person of Peter was the rock. Without doubt Christ himself is the Rock, the tried foundation of the church; and woe to him that attempts to lay any other! Peter's confession is this rock as to doctrine. If Jesus be not the Christ, those that own him are not of the church, but deceivers and deceived. Our Lord next declared the authority with which Peter would be invested. He spoke in the name of his brethren, and this related to them as well as to him. They had no certain knowledge of the characters of men, and were liable to mistakes and sins in their own conduct; but they were kept from error in stating the way of acceptance and salvation, the rule of obedience, the believer's character and experience, and the final doom of unbelievers and hypocrites. In such matters their decision was right, and it was confirmed in heaven. But all pretensions of any man, either to absolve or retain men's sins, are blasphemous and absurd. None can forgive sins but God only. And this binding and loosing, in the common language of the Jews, signified to forbid and to allow, or to teach what is lawful or unlawful.

Commentary on Matthew 16:21-23

Christ reveals his mind to his people gradually. From that time, when the apostles had made the full confession of Christ, that he was the Son of God, he began to show them of his sufferings. He spake this to set right the mistakes of his disciples about the outward pomp and power of his kingdom. Those that follow Christ, must not expect great or high things in this world. Peter would have Christ to dread suffering as much as he did; but we mistake, if we measure Christ's love and patience by our own. We do not read of any thing said or done by any of his disciples, at any time, that Christ resented so much as this. Whoever takes us from that which is good, and would make us fear to do too much for God, speaks Satan's language. Whatever appears to be a temptation to sin, must be resisted with abhorrence, and not be parleyed with. Those that decline suffering for Christ, savour more of the things of man than of the things of God.

Commentary on Matthew 16:24-28

A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow him in duty, and shall follow him to glory. He is one that walks in the same way Christ walked in, is led by his Spirit, and treads in his steps, whithersoever he goes. "Let him deny himself." If self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practised, to redeem us, and to teach us. "Let him take up his cross." The cross is here put for every trouble that befalls us. We are apt to think we could bear another's cross better than our own; but that is best which is appointed us, and we ought to make the best of it. We must not by our rashness and folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them up when they are in our way. If any man will have the name and credit of a disciple, let him follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple. If all worldly things are worthless when compared with the life of the body, how forcible the same argument with respect to the soul and its state of never-ending happiness or misery! Thousands lose their souls for the most trifling gain, or the most worthless indulgence, nay, often from mere sloth and negligence. Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ, that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul is worth more than all the world. This is Christ's judgment upon the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it. The dying transgressor cannot purchase one hour's respite to seek mercy for his perishing soul. Let us then learn rightly to value our souls, and Christ as the only Saviour of them.

What Is The Purpose Of Jesus Christ Interceding For Us In Heaven? Jesus Christ Is Our High Priest Working On Our Behalf. No Angel Has That Position. Not Mary, Not Any Previous Christian Saints.

I added the picture above to message below. I would also like to point out that Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God NOT Archangel Michael as many would believe. (emphasis mine)

What is the purpose of Jesus interceding for us in Heaven?

[source: GotQuestions.org]

Question: "What is the purpose of Jesus interceding for us in Heaven?"

Answer: Speaking of Jesus, the writer to the Hebrews says, “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). This verse (and others like it) tells us that although Christ’s work to secure the salvation of the elect was completed on the cross, as evidenced by His cry “It is finished!” (John 19:30), His care for His redeemed children will never be finished.

Jesus did not go to heaven after His earthly ministry and “take a break” from His role as eternal Shepherd to His people. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:10, emphasis added). If when humble, despised, dying, and dead, He had the power to accomplish so great a work as reconciling us to God, how much more may we expect that He will be able to keep us now that He is a living, exalted, and triumphant Redeemer, raised to life and interceding on our behalf before the throne (Romans 8:34). Clearly, Jesus is still very active on our behalf in heaven.

After Jesus ascended to heaven and was seated at the right hand of God the Father (Acts 1:9; Colossians 3:1), He returned to the glory He had before His incarnation (John 17:5) to carry on His role of King of kings and Lord of lords—His eternal role as the second Person of the triune God. While this old earth continues to be “won” for Christ, Jesus is the Advocate for Christians, meaning He is our great Defender. This is the intercessory role He currently fulfills for those who are His (1 John 2:1). Jesus is always pleading our case before the Father, like a defense lawyer on our behalf.

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Jesus is interceding for us while Satan (whose name means “accuser”) is accusing us, pointing out our sins and frailties before God, just as he did with Job (Job 1:6-12). But the accusations fall upon deaf ears in heaven, because Jesus’ work on the cross paid our sin debt in full [We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ from the curse of the law. (emphasis mine)]; therefore, God always sees in His children the perfect righteousness of Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross, His righteousness (perfect holiness) was imputed to us, while our sin was imputed to Him at His death. This is the great exchange Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 5:21. That took away forever our sinful state before God, so God can accept us as blameless before Him.

Finally, it is important to understand that Jesus is the only human mediator between God and man. No one else—not Mary, not any previous Christian saints, not even a priest as the Catholic church claims — has the power to intercede for us before the throne of the Almighty. No angel has that position. Christ alone is the God-man, and He mediates and intercedes between God and man. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

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Jesus the Intercessor

—The High Priest’s present work

[source: SimplyBible.com Australia]

We have so far studied the book of Hebrews in lessons which were introductory and gave us an overview of the epistle’s teaching. We now move into a deeper study of Christ’s work as our great High Priest.

In this lesson, we focus on the topic of intercession which is an ongoing work of Christ our high priest. His sin offering (to be studied in a coming lesson) is a finished work which never needs repeating. Not all Christ’s work is finished, however, because he now continues to make intercession for us in heaven.

We study the same portions of Hebrews as for the lessons “Jesus a priest like Melchizedek”, but we now focus on his work as our intercessor.

The key verse for this study is...

Hebrews 7:25

¶“6He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through him, because he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

1 What Intercession Means

The meaning of intercession is wrapped up in the phrase "draw near to God through him". As a "creature" (Hebrews 4:13), you cannot come to your Creator unbidden.

Furthermore, because the Creator knows his creatures utterly, they are "naked" before him. All their thoughts and deeds are laid open and bare before his eyes.

Mindful of that, we mortals should be ashamed, indeed terrified, to come before God on our own, even if we were bidden. Therefore we need Someone to intercede for us. The Macquarie Dictionary gives this definition: "intercede ...to interpose on behalf of one in difficulty or in trouble, as by pleading or petition..."

2 Who Can Intercede for Us?

Jesus Christ is able to be our go-between who can speak to God on our behalf. We can then "draw near to God through him" (Hebrews 7:25). The prophecy about Christ stated that "He himself bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).

It stands to reason that someone who is in much the same position as ourselves, someone who needs an intercessor as much as we do, is not qualified in his own right to intercede for us. Only Jesus and the Holy Spirit are qualified to be our intercessors. (Romans 8:26,34).

There is only one priest among men who can can go to God in his own right and intercede for us, who himself does not need an intercessor. That man is Jesus Christ. That’s one reason why he said, "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

3 The Blessing of Intercession

We are greatly blessed in having a great High Priest one who ever lives to make intercession for us. John describes him as our "Advocate with the Father" (1 John 2:1-2). Jesus understands our weaknesses without himself being weak. There is no one closer to God than he. Through him we can come to God and find utmost grace.

Hence the encouragement, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). And again, "Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith..." (Hebrews 10:22).

Catch the Fire Toronto published August 1, 2017: Breaking Curses' Legal Rights - Robert Henderson (Sunday, 30 Jul 2017)

A Life Of God-Worship. Don't Worry. God Will Strengthen Your Heart. Relax. Be Of Good Cheer. Expect God's Supernatural Provision. ❤

I added the images above to the message I share with you below.

I need to find this bambi gif or picture to frame and hang on my wall.

I love it so much. It makes me smile.

A Life of God-Worship

Matthew 6:19-34 The Message (MSG)

❤ Part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount ❤

found in Matthew chapters 5-7

[source: Biblegateway.com]

19-21 Jesus said, “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!

24 “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.

25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes

A Special Story About A Man And His Dog!

A Man and His Dog

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years.. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"

"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered. "Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.

"Of course, sir.. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

"Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"

"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."

"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.

"There should be a bowl by the pump."

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.

"This is Heaven," he answered.

"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."

"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."

"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"

"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind."

USA: Nursing Home In Sacramento, CA Gets $225K In Citations After Employee Sexually Assaulted Disabled And Impaired Residents. They Knew About His Criminal History Of Abuse And Still Hired Him.

🚨NO WHITE SUPREMACISTS INVOLVED🚨

🚨NO ISLAMIC JIHADISTS INVOLVED🚨

KCRA 3 published August 12, 2025: Nursing home gets $225K in citations after employee assaults residents. A nursing home in Galt is accused of ignoring a major red flag when it hired a certified nursing assistant “with a known criminal history of abuse."

KCRA3 NBC News, Sacramento, CA local

Nursing home gets $225K in citations after employee assaults residents

written by Lysée Mitri

Tuesday August 12, 2025

GALT, Calif. — A nursing home in Galt is accused of ignoring a major red flag when it hired a certified nursing assistant “with a known criminal history of abuse,” according to records that KCRA 3 Investigates obtained from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

About six weeks after Rancho Seco Care Center hired Justin Atkinson, he was accused of sexually assaulting several of the elderly residents he was supposed to be helping.

And concerns about care at the nursing home did not end there.

“I'm horrified. These people are defenseless,” said Carole Herman, president and founder of Foundation Aiding the Elderly (FATE).

Sexual Assault Investigation

“When something pops up like this, it is alarming. And we put all our resources to it,” said Lt. Brian Azevedo with Galt Police.

Officers responded to Rancho Seco Care Center on January 24 after the nursing home reported allegations that an employee sexually assaulted a resident.

Police began with interviews, trying to talk to everyone living there.

“You're dealing with people that range in age from, you know, 50, 60, up to their 80s or 90s,” Lt. Azevedo said. “You're dealing with different physical impairments, different cognitive impairments.”

Detectives also interviewed Atkinson.

“During a review of the police report,” CDPH said it showed Atkinson confirmed he sexually assaulted six nursing home residents.

In court, Atkinson pleaded no contest to seven felonies, including sexual battery of a disabled person and lewd acts by a caretaker upon a dependent adult.

He is now serving nine years in prison. However, Atkinson is not the only one facing consequences.

State Regulators Fine Nursing Home

“Not only should the perpetrator be held accountable, but the people that hired him,” Herman said. “They knew that that person should not have been in that facility, and they allowed it.”

KCRA 3 Investigates obtained CDPH records that allege Rancho Seco Care Center knew Atkinson had a “criminal history of abuse” and hired him anyway.

A CDPH report states that a background check revealed that Atkinson pleaded guilty to a 2019 charge of "knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure, insult or provoke."

The nursing home's administrator, Chelsie Mott, “confirmed she was aware of CNA 1's previous charges and chose to hire him and stated, ‘... [CNA 1] explained it as a domestic abuse,’” according to CDPH.

“He should have never been hired,” Herman said.

Investigative Reporter Lysée Mitri went to Rancho Seco Care Center to ask Mott for an on-camera interview. Upon speaking, Mott told Mitri that she would check with legal first and then get back to her. Mott never followed up with a response to the interview request.

“They were responsible for placing those patients, very compromised patients, in harm's way,” Herman said.

CDPH alleges that Rancho Seco Care Center failed to protect the residents' right to be free from abuse, and that it then failed to thoroughly investigate after residents reported abuse.

In May, the state hit Rancho Seco with nine citations, totaling $225,000.

“I’ve never seen this many citations in this short period of time,” Herman said.

Additional Allegations of Federal Regulation Violations

Since the reports of sexual assault, CDPH has identified 26 more federal regulation violations, including more failures to prevent abuse. CDPH inspections detail multiple incidents of residents hitting each other, for example.

“I've seen the fights, yeah,” Triva Lewis said.

Her sister is a resident at Rancho Seco Care Center.

Lewis believes the place is understaffed, putting workers and residents at risk.

“You just don't know what's going to go on from one day to the next,” she said.

She worries about her sister often.

“She's developmentally and physically disabled.”

She is certainly not alone in her concerns. The number of complaints and reported incidents at Rancho Seco is four times higher than the statewide average so far this year, according to CDPH’s website.

“I don't sleep at night. I can't even tell you when I slept last. She is on my mind 24 hours because of her disability,” Lewis said.

As KCRA 3 Investigates spoke with Lewis on a public sidewalk outside the nursing home, Administrator Chelsea Mott approached with two other employees.

They said they came outside to see what was going on.

“They were asking me questions,” Lewis said.

“Yeah, we're just talking to her about her experience,” Mitri said.

This took place about a week after Mitri first introduced herself to Mott, informing her about the KCRA 3 News story and requesting an on-camera interview.

“Were you able to talk to your attorney?” Mitri asked.

“We have no comment still at this time,” Mott said.

She and the other employees then turned around and walked away.

Lewis said she plans to continue speaking up as an advocate for the residents at Rancho Seco Care Center.

“I'm going to keep fighting until something happens,” she said.

Lawsuit Against Nursing Home and Owners

Now, concerns extend beyond just Rancho Seco Care Center.

The California Attorney General is actually suing the nursing home and its parent company, Sweetwater Care.

The civil lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court states that Sweetwater Care has engaged in "unlawful, unfair and fraudulent business practices," putting millions toward profits instead of using that money to meet minimum staffing levels required by law.

KCRA 3 Investigates reached out to Sweetwater Care and its owners, Aaron Chesley and James Gamett, for comment. No one responded.

In addition to that pending court case, Rancho Seco Care Center is taking CDPH to court to challenge the $225,000 in citations.

“CDPH abused its discretion and exceeded its authority” by issuing nine citations for one alleged violation, the nursing home alleges in court documents.

Rancho Seco states that the alleged violations did not occur and that, regardless, the incident in question did not meet the criteria for a Class A citation.

The nursing facility rejects the idea that “the alleged violation resulted in an imminent danger that death or serious harm to patients of a long-term health care facility would result therefrom or a substantial probability that death or serious harm to patients of a long-term health care facility would result therefrom.”

Rancho Seco Care Center will not have to pay any civil penalties until all appeals have been exhausted, and the outcome is decided in court.

USA: 42 Dangerous Gang Members Arrested In 4 Days In Nassau County, Long Island's Largest Gang Takedowns. 33 Of The Offenders Are Now In ICE Custody Without Bond, Pending Removal.

🚨NO WHITE SUPREMACISTS INVOLVED🚨

🚨NO ISLAMIC JIHADISTS INVOLVED🚨

Eyewitness News ABC7NY published August 19, 2025: 42 arrested in 4 days in one of Nassau County's largest gang takedowns. Chanteé Lans has the latest details.

ABC7 News, New York local

42 arrested in 4 days in one of Nassau County's largest gang takedown operations

written by Chanteé Lans

Tuesday August 19, 2025

NASSAU COUNTY, Long Island -- Officials in Nassau County said they have arrested 42 people over four days in one of the largest gang takedowns in the county's history.

The arrests took place last week between Wednesday and Sunday for a variety of crimes, including attempted murder, assault and robbery.

The defendants allegedly attacked victims with knives, machetes and pipes in two incidents from 2024, including a machete attack at a soccer game last October and another at a laundromat in December.

Of the 42 arrested, officials say 25 were gang members -- mostly MS-13.

"We want to send a clear message in Nassau County that gang activity will not be tolerated," said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

On Tuesday, Blakeman was joined by members of ICE, Nassau County police and the district attorney's office.

"These arrests are a testament to how committed we are in Nassau County to dismantling gangs and their toxic influence in our communities," said District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

Guns, knives, machetes and even miniature axes were seized during the takedown.

Officials say 33 of the offenders are now in ICE custody without bond, pending removal.

"If there was somebody that was apprehended, and that individual was going to be released because of the cashless bail laws, we notified ICE, came and picked them up, so that they would not continue to do harm to our community," Blakeman said.

ICE enforcement removal operations assistant director Brian Flanagan said "some of ICE's worst of the worst was captured here in Nassau County."

A spike in gang crimes, like shootings and stabbings, prompted the takedown.

Nassau police say the most egregious was a robbery and attempted murder at Hempstead's Kennedy Park.

"Four MS-13 guys confronted a kid who suffered from a little cognitive issues, they confronted him as he was an 18th Street Gang Member, the kid was not," said Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder.

Ryder said the gang members chased the victim on foot for two miles into Roosevelt until he made it to safety. Police say they arrested two of the four suspects.

"I'm going to take you back to 2017 when MS-13 was killing gang members, other gang members or those that refused to join the gang, and you remember we covered about nine bodies buried throughout Nassau County all been hacked up, decapitated and buried in shallow graves."

Police say overall gang violence is down.

USA: 11 South Los Angeles Gang Members Arrested Accused Of Massive Nationwide Sex Trafficking Operation Recruiting Runaways And Foster Care Teens As Young As 14. Branded Each Victim.

🚨NO WHITE SUPREMACISTS INVOLVED🚨

🚨NO ISLAMIC JIHADISTS INVOLVED🚨

FOX 11 Los Angeles published August 13, 2025: LA gang members arrested, accused of massive sex trafficking operation. Six suspected members of the Hoover gang in South Los Angeles were arrested, accused of pimping girls as young as 14 along the Figueroa corridor.

ABC7 published August 14, 2025: 11 suspected gang members arrested in sex trafficking ring along Figueroa Corridor in South LA. Eleven suspected gang members are facing federal charges for allegedly participating in a massive sex trafficking ring along the Figueroa Corridor in South Los Angeles.

NBCLA published August 13, 2025: South LA gang members arrested for sex trafficking girls. Eleven people were indicted Wednesday as they were accused of luring young women and teenage girls into sex work. Mekahlo Medina reports.

CBS News

South LA street gang members charged in Figueroa Corridor sex trafficking case, DOJ says

written by Matthew Rodriguez

Wednesday August 13, 2025

A grand jury indicted 11 members and associates of the Hoover Criminal Gang for sex trafficking children and adults along South Los Angeles' Figueroa Corridor, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In addition to sex trafficking crimes, the 31-count indictment charges the following 11 people with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act:

[BLEEP]

The Justice Department described Armstead as the de facto leader of the 112 set, an offshoot of the Hoover Criminal Gang, and named her as the lead defendant in the RICO case. Federal and local law enforcement arrested all of the suspects except Isrel, as of Wednesday afternoon.

If convicted, the defendants could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

"Today's operation is the first step in returning the Figueroa Corridor – long known as prostitution haven – back to its residents who have suffered for too long while criminals were allowed to run amok," Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said.

Federal prosecutors claimed the gang had controlled the sex trafficking and prostitution ring along the Figueroa Corridor between February 2021 and August 2025. Investigators said the gang recruited new victims through social media or in person, primarily focusing on vulnerable women and girls with financial or emotional struggles, some of whom were runaways or foster youth. The Justice Department said the gang provided the women with drugs, gave them false promises of a luxurious lifestyle and, in some cases, beat them.

"The exploitation of vulnerable women and children through sex trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes our society faces," said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. "The victims in this case – many of them minors, runaways, or from the foster care system – were preyed upon by individuals who sought to profit from their pain."

The suspects forced sex workers to give up everything they had made, according to the indictment. The Justice Department said the women who refused or disobeyed were either beaten, berated, humiliated and starved of affection, drugs or food.

Several of the women were branded with tattoos of some of the suspects' nicknames.

"Human trafficking is among the most heinous crimes perpetuated throughout the world," said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. "No human should be for sale – not here in Los Angeles or anywhere in our society. Today's operation is a result of our commitment to identify and rescue victims of trafficking and to hold accountable these criminal organizations exploiting them."

**********

Fox11 News, Los Angeles, CA local

Hoover gang members accused of pimping children as young as 14 in Los Angeles

written by Alexa Mae Asperin

Wednesday August 13, 2025

LOS ANGELES - Federal and local law enforcement have arrested six members and associates of the South Los Angeles-based Hoover Criminal Gang on federal charges, accusing them of running a sex trafficking ring on the city's Figueroa Corridor.

The backstory: According to the indictment, members and associates of the gang controlled sex trafficking and prostitution on the Figueroa Corridor from February 2021 to August 2025.

They allegedly acted as pimps by managing victims, renting motel rooms, and using violence, humiliation, and other tactics to discipline those who disobeyed.

The indictment also claims that the gang recruited victims, often vulnerable minors, through social media and in-person and that they were sometimes branded with the pimp's tattoo.

"Victims were required to remit all proceeds from commercial sex dates to the pimp. A victim who refused or who otherwise disobeyed a pimp faced discipline, including assaults, berating, public humiliation, and withholding of affection, drugs or food. Victims also were branded with tattoos of a defendant’s moniker," the indictment read.

According to court documents, the pimps targeted vulnerable minors and young women, particularly those with financial or emotional struggles, or those who had run away from home.

"Pimps also plied their victims with drugs ranging from oxycodone to amphetamines," the indictment stated. "Victims were recruited via false promises of a luxurious lifestyle, intimidation, and actual or threatened violence."

In one instance in April 2024, two of the alleged pimps used rooms at a South LA motel to traffic their victims, one of whom was 14-years-old. One of the alleged pumps, Amaya Armstead, allegedly gave the victim – who was sex trafficked for at least three consecutive days – condoms to use for commercial sex dates with "Johns" or sex buyers.

What we know: The following individuals are charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act:

[BLEEP]

Dig deeper: The indictment described the Hoovers as a criminal street gang formed in the late 1970s and later became part of the larger "Westside Crips" umbrella.

The Westside Crips eventually split into two factions – the Gangster Crips and the Neighborhood Crips -- and the Hoovers aligned themselves with the Gangster Crips.

From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the Hoovers were known as "Hoover Gangster Crips" or "HGC." To differentiate themselves from other gangs in the area and to establish their own reputation, Hoovers factions or "sets" dropped the "Gangster Crip," from their identity and became the "Hoover Criminal Gangsters" or simply the "Hoover Criminals."

"The more sovereign Hoovers gang identity gave rise to the especially dangerous Hoovers mentality of being an ‘Everybody Killer,’ or ‘EBK,’ meaning that members will kill anyone, or commit violence against anyone, who stands in their way of making money or promoting the Enterprise," court documents stated.

"This created an atmosphere of intimidation that allowed the Hoovers to operate with virtual impunity. Moreover, the pride and power of being associated with the Hoovers enabled and empowered its members and associates to commit criminal offenses that enriched the individuals and furthered the reputation and objectives of the Enterprise," the indictment read.

What they're saying: Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated that federal law provides harsher sentences for sex trafficking than state law.

"There are no meaningful consequences for their conduct under state law, so the federal government... will step in to make sure these criminals face lengthy prison sentences," he said.

Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang emphasized the agency's commitment to fighting human trafficking.

"No human should be for sale – not here in Los Angeles or anywhere in our society," Wang said.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell commented on the victims, saying they were "preyed upon by individuals who sought to profit from their pain."

He added that the LAPD is committed to working with federal partners to "dismantle these criminal networks, bring their perpetrators to justice, and ensure survivors receive the protection and support they deserve."

What's next: Law enforcement is still looking for one defendant, Bryan Isrel.

USA: 21yo North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Student Broke Up With Her 23yo Boyfriend Because He Was Abusive. While She Was Moving Out He Killed Her And Then Himself.

🚨NO WHITE SUPREMACISTS INVOLVED🚨

🚨NO ISLAMIC JIHADISTS INVOLVED🚨

ABC11 published August 13, 2025: Friend details horrific moment NCCU student was shot, killed by ex-boyfriend: 'Feel shell shocked'. London Powers' friend Shiann Boyd told ABC11 that Powers was in the midst of moving out of an apartment that she shared with her ex-boyfriend Damien Tinsley when she was killed in a murder-suicide.

ABC11 published Aug 14, 2025 "She was the light in every room; she was such a positive person."

WRAL published Aug 13, 2025: Mom: NCCU student killed was getting her things from ex-boyfriend's apartment The mother told WRAL News she believed the shooting was domestic violence related.

ABC11 News, North Carolina local

Friend details horrific moment NCCU student was shot, killed by ex-boyfriend: 'Feel shell shocked'

written by Bianca Holman

Wednesday August 13, 2025

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- ABC11 has learned new details about a shooting investigation that took the life of a North Carolina Central University (NCCU) student.

London Powers' friend Shiann Boyd told ABC11 that Powers was in the midst of moving out of an apartment that she shared with her ex-boyfriend Damien Tinsley when she was killed in a murder-suicide.

"She was just so happy to finally be moving out, getting her own place," Boyd said.

Boyd said she met London during her freshman year at Central.

"She was also saying, like, she would never deal with no man like that again. She said she knows the signs to look for, and she would just like, leave if a man ever came to her acting like that ever again," Boyd said.

However, before that could happen, Durham Police received a call from the Camden Pointe Apartments on Monday afternoon.

Boyd said Tinsley, who once played football at Saint Augustine's University, showed up unexpectedly.

There was a brief argument, then Boyd said Tinsley got physical with London. She said when London tried to call 911, things took a deadly turn.

"She says her address. She says he has a gun. And that's literally all she was able to say," said Boyd.

Boyd said Damien shot Powers before turning the gun and firing a shot toward her. She was not hit, but she said that is when Tinsley made eye contact with her before taking his own life.

"I'm on the phone with the police, I'm screaming. I'm like, somebody please help me," said Boyd.

Tinsley died at the scene, and Powers later died at the hospital.

"I just can't believe London's not here with me, and it's just crazy. I just really feel bad for her family because I just really feel bad for everybody," said Boyd.

Powers was a junior at NCCU, studying social work and preparing to intern at the Durham Center for Senior Life. She also worked at a local Walgreens.

Her death has shaken everyone.

"I feel shell-shocked. You know, it doesn't feel real," said De'Andre Gainer, a former coworker.

A balloon release will be held for Powers at the Walgreens on Holloway Street on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.