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Joi

Christian Book Review: Before Amen by Max Lucado

June 30, 2022 by Joi Leave a Comment

Before Amen by Max Lucado

Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer (Amazon link)

One of my GREAT passions is books… in fact, it’d be safe to say I’m obsessed with them. I collect my favorite authors and genres and consider my book collections to be great treasures. Not on par with my family or cats, mind you… but I do cherish them a great deal.

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors and one of the ones I collect. He’s a brilliant writer and his books are so inspiring, encouraging, informative, and uplifting that I read and reread them. One of the most recent books I added to my collection is pictured here, Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer and it is one of my all-time favorites.

While recently reading another Christian book review about yet another Max Lucado book, I read something I have often thought myself the past few years – Max Lucado, while always an extraordinary author, seems to be getting even better. He has always had a wonderful sense of humor but, somewhere along the way, he has gone from making me smile ear to ear to making me laugh out loud (something that always makes my cats stare – they’re used to most of my shenanigans but laughing at a book is where they draw the line).

Max Lucado’s humor, love for God, and unique way of reaching out to his readers come through every single word he writes. I love how informal his books always feel. They’re like sitting and talking to a fellow Christian about the wonders of God, the beauty of all He does for us, and the unmeasurable love He has for us.

In spite of us.

While there are many wonderful Christian authors, Max Lucado in unique (in my opinion) in the way he draws the reader IN and makes you feel like you’re part of the conversation. He doesn’t simply tell you how to enrich your Spiritual life, for example, he prods your brain and awakens your heart and, in essence, guides you to the answer yourself.

I also love how “fast” his books read. They’re written in deliciously short chapters, meaning you will always finish one before closing the book. No searching for where you left off with the bookmark that looks as bewildered as you! His books are always so concise – there’s never any extra chapters or wasted words.

To be honest, he has an absolute genius for this and, as an avid book reader, I wish more shared his gift!

Before Amen Review Continued Below…

Before Amen by Max Lucado

Before Amen by Max Lucado

While I am far from perfect (in spite of what my cats and daughters may tell you), I managed to get this right: I spend a great, great deal of time in prayer. In fact, I keep a running conversation with Him like one I keep with my girls. My three daughters and I are always talking through DMs on Twitter. One of us will pop up and either pick up where we left off or we’ll start a whole new avenue of conversation or nonsense (we’re all outrageous when it comes to gifs and memes, so one never knows what we’ll get into!).

We love one another’s company and “visit” continually.

When I whispered a prayer to God a few months ago about a young man I saw in Starbucks, it occurred to me…. I keep a continual, “running” conversation going with God. Somewhere along the way, in my walk as a Christian, I allowed the words, “Pray continually” to become part of who I am and it’s one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.

As a Prayer Warrior, I often seek out books to encourage, inspire, and inform me about the WONDERFUL privilege of prayer. As soon as I saw that Max Lucado had a new book titled “Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer,” I ordered it immediately.

Book Description from Amazon:

We all pray. . . some. But wouldn’t we like to pray better? Stronger? With more fire, faith and fervency?

We aren’t the first to struggle with prayer. The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance too. In fact, prayer is the only tutorial they ever requested. In Before Amen, New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado helps readers discover the very heart of biblical prayer, offering hope for doubters and confidence for both prayer beginners and experts.

In this book, Max will help you:

  • Distill prayers in the Bible down to one pocket-sized prayer.
  • Remember that the Good Shepherd has authority over your life.
  • Learn that prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and his child.

Don’t be bogged down by crafting elegant words or apologizing for incoherent sentences. Climb into God’s lap and tell him everything on your heart. Today is the day to let the conversation begin.

“If you’ve never read one of Max’s books, read this one. I promise, you will be inspired.” ~ George Strait

I hope you’ll grab a copy of Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer (Amazon link) right away, if not sooner.  Like all of Max Lucado’s books, it is exceptional – in fact, it stands out as being one of my absolute favorites. The world needs more Christians on their knees in prayer than ever – people with great, great needs are all around us and they need God more than ever. I hope you’ll take the first step in making your prayer life the best it can be. ~ Joi (“Joy”)


Filed Under: Book Reviews, Books I Love, Christian Book Reviews Tagged With: Christian Book Reviews, inspirational book reviews, Max Lucado book review, Spiritual book reviews

Fixing Your Underbite: A Practical Guide

June 30, 2022 by Joi Leave a Comment

Genes play an essential role in the creation of humans since they determine our physical traits – how we appear on the outside – and many other things about us. Parents pass on their traits or characteristics to their offspring through genes, such as eye color, health conditions, blood type, hair type, height, and even how their children might laugh or smile.

From the shape and size to the color and positioning, genes can cause our smiles to differ significantly from person to person, so much so that our oral differences become a defining part of our characters. As demonstrated by celebrities like Madonna, Willem Dafoe, and Steve Buscemi – whose famously crooked smiles have helped cement them in stardom in addition to their talents.

Like the public figures mentioned above, many people can live with their oral differences. However, more severe differences may place individuals at risk of health conditions that require surgical or non-surgical treatments to correct.  One of the most inherited orthodontic problems is underbites, which affect between 5-10% of the American population and prompt a range of queries.

And what does an underbite smile look like? Most questions about underbites focus on the aesthetic instead of treatment, leading to many people suffering from an underbite smile being unaware of their treatment options. Whether an underbite is mild, moderate, or severe, it can be corrected using a variety of surgical and non-surgical treatments. In this practical guide, we’ll discuss what an underbite is, the causes, and how to fix it – keep reading to learn more.

What Is An Underbite? 

Before we can explain the causes and treatment of an underbite, we must ensure that our readers have a sound understanding of what an underbite is. If you type the word ‘underbite’ into a search engine, millions upon millions of search results will appear. Some of the most common searches you’ll find are: How to smile with an underbite? How to undergo underbite correction without surgery? What does an underbite smile look like? Plus, much more.

Even if you have no comprehensive knowledge about underbites, you’ve probably heard or seen the words underbite and overbite while sitting in your local dentist’s office. Unbeknown to most, underbites and overbites belong to the same family of orthodontic conditions, which is professionally referred to as class three malocclusion. Malocclusion is a common dental problem where the upper rows of teeth do not mirror the lower and vice versa.

An underbite is a form of malocclusion where the lower teeth protrude further than the upper row of teeth giving your smile a crooked, uneven, or misaligned appearance. This misalignment can differ in severity; in some cases, it may not be easy to spot, whereas others might be immediately identifiable. As well as causing aesthetic problems, in severe cases, underbites can cause a variety of health problems if left untreated for too long.

Some of the most common problems that an untreated underbite can cause in individuals are excessive wear on the teeth, difficulty speaking, jaw complications, and difficulties with chewing or biting. These issues should not be taken lightly and require immediate medical attention to prevent them from worsening.

If you have an underbite smile and are concerned, we recommend scheduling an appointment with your dentist at your earliest convenience. Only a trained health professional will be able to advise you further about the severity of your underbite and the treatment options you are suitable for if it requires intervention.

What Kind Of Treatment Can Those With An Underbite Smile Expect?

Some of the worst cases of underbites can cause a range of aesthetic and health-related problems. Although we’ve touched upon some of these throughout this article, we haven’t yet addressed how these can be rectified through underbite treatment.

Fortunately, dental technology has advanced significantly over the past couple of decades. Due to these advancements, there is now a range of surgical and non-surgical options for those looking to correct their underbite smile. Some of the most popular treatment options are as follows:

  • Braces – One of the most popular ways of treating misalignment issues, braces are a popular option for correcting underbites. With the help of mental brackets, braces shift teeth into a fixed position by exerting constant pressure on the surface of the teeth but are often feared due to their look and expense.
  • Aligners – Another way that underbites can be corrected is by wearing aligners. Aligners are popular among those that desire the result braces provide yet want to avoid the unsightly metal-mouth look. Since aligners are made from high-quality clear plastic, they allow wearers to straighten their teeth discreetly and work similarly to braces. Nowadays, you can even complete this process without visiting a dentist, using at-home aligners kits from companies such as ALIGNERCO. For more information on fixing an underbite, head over to their website, follow their blog or contact a team member directly to discover how their innovative teeth-straightening solutions could help you fix your underbite today.
  • Tooth Removal – If your malocclusion is mild or moderate, your dentist may suggest extracting specific teeth to rectify your underbite.
  • Jaw Alignment Surgery – If you suffer from severe malocclusion, your dentist may put you forward for jaw alignment surgery, which involves surgically repositioning your top or bottom jaw (or both). It is often used with other teeth-straightening solutions such as braces or aligners.
  • Upper Jaw Extenders – For those with a small jaw, an expander is fitted across the palate, which slowly widens the jaw so that the rows of teeth match better.

What Can Cause An Underbite? 

In most cases, an underbite is usually present from birth or develops during early childhood due to the physical traits passed on genetically by our parents. However, in some cases, the alignment of our teeth can also be affected by various environmental factors. As our teeth grow in, the upper row of teeth should naturally overlap the bottom by about 2mm. An underbite or overbite is diagnosed when the individual’s teeth overlap more than 2mm.

As we mentioned previously, most underbite cases are hereditary; however, in some rare cases, environmental factors can cause the development of an underbite that cannot be prevented. Some of the most common external environmental factors that cause the creation of underbites are as follows:

  • Childhood Habits – Sometimes, habits learned in childhood can cause the creation of an underbite and other misalignment issues such as tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, and prolonged pacifier or bottle usage.
  • Illness – Although rare, contracting an infection can cause an underbite to form. Typically, this only happens because of contracting an endocrine condition like endometriosis, Addison’s disease, or chronic fatigue syndrome. These illnesses target your hormone glands and cause issues with how effectively they distribute hormones and other products into your system. An underbite is one of the many consequences of this disturbance.
  • Tumors – Tumors can appear anywhere on or inside your body. If an individual is unfortunate enough to develop one on their jawline or inside their mouth, it can cause an underbite to form due to the jaw shifting.
  • Injury – Severe injuries to the face or jaw can cause the creation of an underbite. Facial and jaw injuries can be rectified through surgery, but even after the procedure is completed, the jawbones may not fit together correctly, causing an underbite.
  • Genetics – Since genetics determine our physical appearance, that our parents pass down if a parent suffers from malocclusion, it’s likely that this will be passed down. Whether the malocclusion is minor or severe, you may be born with uneven teeth, misalignment of the jaw, underbite/overbite, or a cleft lip/palate, which could cause further misalignment issues in the future.

Keep some of the points mentioned above when deciding to have your overbite fixed.

Filed Under: Articles by Various Authors

Five Ways That You May Be Affecting Your Brain Health Without Realizing It

June 18, 2022 by Joi Leave a Comment

Get enough sleep for mental and physical health!

Get enough sleep for mental and physical health!

Most people like to think that they are conscientious when it comes to their health. They try to eat right, to sleep right, and to exercise when they can. However, it is a fact of life that when we are stressed and burned out, it can be all too easy to let some good habits slip. This is when we start reaching for shortcuts, to find the easiest route through the day and to do things that will save us time without really thinking about the impact that it may be having.

As we head into the summer, most of us will have a little more time to breathe than we may have had during the long and stressful winter. That means that it is the perfect time to take a look back at some of your bad habits and make plans for adjustments. Here are a few things that may have been affecting your brain health without you realizing it, and some suggestions for improvements.

Not Getting Enough Good Sleep

In an ideal world, we would all be sleeping better. The last couple of years have had a huge impact on the sleep patterns and the sleep quality of people all over the world. It is also true that once you start getting into bad habits with your sleep, it can be very difficult to recover that sleep debt. Not getting enough sleep has a wide range of impacts on your physical and mental health, and it is vitally important that you take this problem seriously. Different people have different needs, but it is generally advised that you try to get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night. Listen to your body if it feels like you are not getting enough. 

Drinking Too Much

Most people are aware of some of the major health hazards that are associated with drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time. They include liver damage, a higher risk of cancer, and it can also have a serious impact on your brain health. Of course, it is not always easy to cut down, especially if you have started relying on it to wind down at the end of the day. Try to have one day a week where you don’t drink any alcohol, and then keep cutting back gradually. This will help you feel happier and healthier before you know it.

Not Thinking About Your Diet

Much as with drinking, there are a number of different health issues that can occur if you do not watch what you are eating. An overreliance on sugary or fatty foods can cause serious cardiovascular issues and being significantly overweight will also put you at risk of problems such as cancer and other illnesses. However, a lot of people do not realize that there is a link between gut health and brain health. 

Diet has been shown to have an impact on mood disorders such as depression and anxiety and working to improve your gut health may have a bigger impact than you might expect. Take mushrooms, for example. We know that mushrooms are good for us, and that scientists are fascinated by their potential to do more. Indeed, there have been studies that have shown that certain types of mushrooms can help with brain and nerve issues. To learn more about food for brain health, visit Dr Ruscio’s website. He offers practical, science-based advice to help you enjoy better gut health.

Smoking Or Chewing Tobacco

The chances are that you may already be aware that smoking has an impact on almost every single element of your health, but it is so important that it bears repeating. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco puts you at a huge risk of a wide range of cancers as well as other major illnesses. The chances of you seriously damaging your brain health are significantly higher if you smoke, so this is definitely the time to quit if you have not done so already.

Keeping Problems To Yourself

The phrase “brain health” covers a wide range of different issues, and one of the most important is mental health. There has been a lot written on the subject over the last couple of years, and everyone has learned a lot about how it affects us and how we can support people who are struggling. New initiatives are being launched to help those in mental health emergencies, such as the dial 988 code. However, there are a still a lot of people out there who will try to get on with things because they do not feel that there is anyone that they can talk to. If you feel like you are struggling with depression or anxiety, it is so important that you open up to someone. If you do not feel like you can talk to your friends or family, then look at options for therapy. There is always someone who is ready to listen.

Filed Under: Articles by Various Authors, Mental Fitness Tagged With: brain health, mental health

Create a Zen Room in Your Home (Perfect for Creating a Home Sweet Haven)

June 9, 2022 by Joi Leave a Comment

Meditation Room
Source: https://www.pacaso.com/

Shortly after the pandemic hit, I began a category on the self help blog geared entirely toward making your home a place that feels like a safe haven – the sort of place you don’t want to leave and one you can’t wait to return to. While this is obviously an extraordinary mindset to have pandemic or not, spending more time at home has reminded us of the importance of making your home your castle.

While there are great design ideas online and more gorgeous decorations and furnishings than any one person could ever accumulate, one problem arises… we are all deliciously different, with different personalities, different likes, loves, and dislikes. What makes me unwind and relax (watching old movies, drinking raspberry tea, purple, my cats..) may not work for the next person.

Colors that make one person feel hyped up and ready to take on the world may make the next person so at peace they fight to stay awake!

That’s why it’s so vital to personalize your own “zensperience” and make your home… well… YOUR home.

I have a great article I want to point you to today that is VERY much in this wheelhouse. It’s all about creating a zen room in your home – one that fosters a sense of well-being and peace.

I have a feeling that once we accomplish one “Zen” room, we won’t want to stop there. Personally, I’m thinking an entire zen house sounds like Heaven  on earth. A Heaven on earth with lots of purple, cats, tea, and Casablanca playing on loop in the background.

Ahhhhh…..

See Emotional Escape Rooms for Every Personality for more wonderful information and inspiration. Trust me, this is outstanding.

Casablanca

Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, Casablanca

 

Filed Under: Home Sweet Haven Tagged With: creating peace at home, creating zen rooms, zen

Quick Thought About Interests… Basically, the More You Have, the Better!

June 6, 2022 by Joi Leave a Comment

Be Interested...

Be interested… fascinated, even… in the world around you and stay interested… fascinated, even… every day of your life. That’s the advice I heap on just about everyone I know. I may not (or may, depending on who I’m talking to!) say the exact words, but I convey the exact thought.

When we are interested in as many things as possible, we not only make life more interesting, we make ourselves more interesting. We open up a whole world of reasons to look forward to the next moment.

Have you ever embarked on a new hobby and found yourself so excited to learn more about it or taken up a new sport and get practically giddy at the thought of perfecting your skills?!

The world if FULL of interesting, fascinating subjects and hobbies – pull up a seat and find a handful!

Some of my own interests.. just to expand your own thought bubble a bit:

  • Cooking and recipes
  • Bible Study
  • American History
  • Old Movies
  • Baseball
  • Ancient Egypt (especially Cleopatra)
  • Harriet Tubman
  • Presidents and First Ladies
  • Cats
  • Amelia Earhart
  • Bird Watching
  • Flower gardening
  • Biographies and auto-biographies
  • Reading Agatha Christie mysteries (over and over again)
  • Bigfoot… yes, of course I’m serious, why do you ask?!?!
  • Tea
  • Poetry
  • Word Find Puzzles (obsessed, y’all)

The world is a buffet of interests and they’re just waiting for you to fill your plate! ~ Joi

Filed Under: General

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Welcome to Self Help Daily, a blog devoted to helping you get the most from life by getting the most from yourself!

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Contact Joi

My name is Joi (“Joy”)! I am the animal lover behind Self Help Daily.

To contact me, please do so through e-mail (joitsigers @ gmail.com). Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you! ~ Joi

Self Help Blog Updates

  • Christian Book Review: Before Amen by Max Lucado
  • Fixing Your Underbite: A Practical Guide
  • Five Ways That You May Be Affecting Your Brain Health Without Realizing It
  • Create a Zen Room in Your Home (Perfect for Creating a Home Sweet Haven)
  • Quick Thought About Interests… Basically, the More You Have, the Better!
  • How Podcasts Grew to Be Full of Information on Motivation
  • 4 Ways You Can Try To Quit Smoking
  • Simple Ways To Make Your Working Life Easier And Less Stressful

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Overcoming Empty Nest Syndrome

One of the questions I hear the most from my readers is, "How can I cope with empty nest syndrome?" I'll try to deal with this sensitive subject as often as possible. If you have any suggestions, I hope you'll contribute to the conversations!

  • Coping With Empty Nest Syndrome
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