Hello Beautiful People,

We need peace!

 I think everyone you talk to says they need peace in this world. Whether it is civil unrest, political debates, or financial worries, people are afraid. If they do not have the Lord, they have nowhere to turn to. Breakpoint Colson Center said that Bible reading has declined by 61%, and only 22% American adults read the Bible outside of religious services. To have peace in our lives, we need the hope found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I recently had the opportunity to preview the new Peace of God Bible: Discover and Experience God’s Shalom Throughout The Bible, by Jeremiah Johnston, Ph.D. This amazing Bible, published by Thomas Nelson, is available in the New King James Version. The Bible I received is brown leather, red-letter comfort print, soft, aesthetically beautiful, and pliable in my hands, and it also comes in a variety of cover options.

Features
– An introduction for each book of the Bible and how PEACE can be found in that book.
– 365 devotionals based on a key verse or passage to guide you in how to receive and live by God’s peace. That is one for every day of the year.
– 365 peace notes offering short, powerful insights to help you understand more deeply the wholeness you have in Christ. When we are short on time, this is an easy way to seek out peace for that day.
– Topical indexes to help you study on your own how God’s peace can shape different relationships in your life.
– Articles explore what the peace of God is, how to find or recover it, and how to experience eternal salvation because of what God has done for you
– Concise concordance and index of features

Peace of God Bible: Discover and Experience God’s Shalom Throughout The Bible is available on Christianbooks.

There is a section called Peace Notes that gives great encouragement for peace inside.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”John 14:27 (NKJV)

The Peace of God Bible: Discover and Experience God’s Shalom Throughout The Bible invites you to experience peace with God as you trace this vital theme throughout Scripture. By meditating on it daily as you read 365 devotions and application notes, you will find the encouragement you need to live out of the wholeness you have in Christ and be equipped to share that peace with others.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)

I look forward to continuing to use the Peace of God Bible: Discover and Experience God’s Shalom Throughout The Bible as a resource in my growth in God’s Word. The more I build my faith and meditate on the peace scriptures, the better equipped I will be to fight the forces that try to steal my peace.

Giveaway:
In conjunction with the release of this fantastic new resource, we are offering our readers an amazing giveaway. To enter, please leave us a comment and let us know in what area of your life you need to find more of God’s peace.

One comment will be selected at random, and that person will receive a copy of the Bible.
The giveaway runs through Saturday, November 8th at 11:59 pm (Central).
The winner must be a current subscriber to our blog and a US citizen. (Click HERE to subscribe.) They will be emailed on November 9th and will have 24 hours to confirm their mailing address. If no response has been received, a new winner will be selected until the mailing address is confirmed.

Disclosure:
Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

CDC data suggests that over 50 million people experience chronic pain every year in the US. Physical pain can take its toll on your mental and emotional well-being, as well as making even the most basic everyday activities more challenging. If you’re dealing with pain, this guide contains proactive tips to help you cope. 

Image credit:

Seek medical advice
The first thing to do if you experience long-term pain or symptoms that are getting worse is to seek medical advice. Whether you’re recovering from an accident or injury, or you’ve had pain for months with no obvious cause, it’s wise to get checked out. Sometimes, it’s not possible to pinpoint an underlying cause, but often, it’s possible to diagnose and cure health conditions or utilize treatments to manage symptoms. The healthcare professionals you see will depend on the severity of your condition, your symptoms, your health status, and your treatment preferences. You may be advised to wait and see if your symptoms improve or try physical therapy, or you may be referred for specialist treatment, such as a surgical procedure. 

Explore pain relief solutions
There are multiple treatments, therapies, and solutions you can try to alleviate or eliminate pain. It’s important to understand that everyone is different, and certain measures or methods recommended by others may not work for you. You may need to try a range of products or therapies to find something that is effective. In recent years, pain support with CBD & THC has become more common. CBD is generally recommended for helping people feel more relaxed and easing acute symptoms of discomfort, while THC can be beneficial for chronic pain. Ice and heat therapy, massage, and targeted exercises can also reduce pain. It’s beneficial to seek advice from your doctor or a professional, such as a physical therapist, before trying new treatments or supplements. 

Try distraction techniques
We often experience heightened symptoms of pain when we stop. It’s common to be more mindful of pain when you try to get to sleep or you sit and rest after work. Distraction techniques take your mind off the symptoms you’re experiencing, providing a new focal point. You may decide to call a friend, watch TV, listen to music, go for a gentle walk, spend time outside, do a puzzle, or play online games, for example. Some hobbies or activities may be more effective than others. Figure out what works for you and try to keep busy without giving yourself too much to do or think about. 

Developing coping mechanisms
If you live with chronic pain, you will probably endure good and bad days. When your pain intensifies, it’s helpful to use coping mechanisms to help you manage. You can try self-help techniques or explore therapies, such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). Examples include exercise, meditation, being in nature, and talking to a therapist, friend, family member, or partner.

Millions of people experience chronic pain every year. In many cases, there are no quick fixes, but there are steps you can take to try to manage symptoms and protect your mental health. Examples include seeking medical advice, exploring pain relief solutions, trying distraction techniques, and employing coping mechanisms. 

Ciao Beautiful People,

If you haven’t seen the exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, make sure to visit before it closes, especially if you live nearby in New York.

This groundbreaking exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City details how Dandyism is contained within black fashion. A Dandy is someone who “studies above everything else to dress elegantly and fashionably.” According to The Met, the exhibition is organized into twelve sections that build a specific, but not definitive, vocabulary of Black dandyism inspired by writer Zora Neal Hurston in her 1934 essay “Characteristics of Negro Expression.”

The 2025 Met Gala, as a prelude to the exhibition’s opening, featured Dandyism as its theme for the annual fundraiser. The gala inspired me to create my own dandyism style.

 We are showing you some of the exhibition highlights.

This exquisite jockey jacket looks to be screenprinted; however, each strip of fabric is hand-sewn. It can be found in the Champions Section. The level of detail needed to create this flawless jacket is fantastic.

 Monica L. Miller served as the guest curator for the exhibition. She is the chair of African Studies at Barnard College, Columbia University. She gives her overview of the exhibit in the video below. She also wrote the groundbreaking book “Slaves to Fashion”.

Beauty Section

In the Beauty section, you will see  Prince’s ruffled shirt featured on display.

I laid out above eight pounds of my money for a suit of superfine clothes to dance with at my freedom.
Olaudah Equiano, 1789

The great quote by Olaudah Equiano, which states freedom and liberation, is the inspiration for the exhibition’s title.Equiano’s autobiography is featured in the exhibtion and is shown above.

In the disguise section of the exhibition, the fantastic story of William and Ellen Craft, who wrote a book about their run for freedom, which is highlighted in the exhibition, see below.

Respectability, gallery view

Another favorite was the feature in the Respectability section of Frederick Douglass’s topcoat, hat, sunglasses, and pocketwatch. His attire represented being a free man, and he knew just how important time was to him.

I thought this image was so good because it features men of African ancestry tailoring and crafting bespoke garments.

Tailor boys at work 1899-1900. Platinum print. 7 1/2 × 9 7/16″ (19.1 × 24 cm). Gift of Lincoln Kirstein.

We learned so much in this exhibit that you keep wanting to know more. I bought the book, Slaves to Fashion, from Amazon. To purchase the book by Metropolitan Museum of Art book on the exhibition, you can click this link: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style

Many thanks to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for providing the team with the images from the exhibition in order to write this post.

Hello Beautiful People,

If you need inspiration to pursue your dreams, I have just read a book that I know will help. This book will get you on your path to success in life and in your business.

Ron Rubin recently sent me a copy of his new book, Gold in Your Backyard: Lessons in Life, Leadership, and the Power Of A Dream. He also included a complimentary canister of cinnamon tea (from the Republic of Tea). This wonderful gift box was presented to me for my honest review.

“I hope you enjoy the journey within these pages.” Ron Rubin

I want to share some background on Rubin’s remarkable achievements.

GIVEAWAY
In conjunction with the release of Rubin’s book, we are offering our readers a chance to win an assortment of Republic of Tea products.

Leave us a comment below, letting us know what your favorite flavor of tea is. One winner will be selected at random and recieve this gift set.

The winner must be a current subscriber of our blog (click HERE to subscribe), must be a US resident and must submit their full mailing address. The giveaway runs through October 26th at 11:59pm CT). The winner will be selected on October 27th and will notified via email to submit their mailing address. They will have 24 hours to reply. If they do not respond in that timeframe, a new winner will be selected and the process will repeat until the mailing address has been confimred.

Beauty has always been about more than appearances. Although trends and standards change (sometimes in significant ways, sometimes in subtle ones) over time, the idea that true beauty comes from both within and without remains constant. It’s something we’re taught from a young age, and it’s something we should all try to remember. It’s not easy, of course, but it can be done, and with that in mind, keep reading to find out more.

Photo by Olena Bohovyk

Nurturing Inner Beauty
Inner beauty begins with wellbeing, and that means a whole range of things like a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest.They all play roles in giving you more confidence and energy. Over and above physical health, working out how to stay positive, kindness, and resilience can transform the way you see yourself and how others see you. People often find that when they take care of their inner wellbeing, through mindfulness, self-care routines, or nurturing relationships, for example, their outer appearance naturally reflects this inner glow.

Simple practices can make a difference too. For example, journaling helps organise thoughts and reduce stress, and practising gratitude, even for small things, can change your perspective and improve your mood. And surrounding yourself with supportive people who lift you up can strengthen confidence and make inner beauty shine more strongly – who could say no to any of that? 

Enhancing Outer Beauty 
Outer beauty is often viewed as the first impression, but it goes far deeper than surface looks. Grooming, skincare, and dressing in ways that make you feel confident all play a part in shaping your appearance, and for some, professional treatments or aesthetic enhancements could also be part of the journey. In fact, many people choose to work with experts in the field to explore safe and effective options, whether that’s advanced skincare, non-invasive treatments, or in some cases, plastic surgery, and professionals such as plastic surgeon Dr. Ariel Ourian provide guidance for those looking for safe ways to refine their features while keeping results natural.

The key is to view outer beauty not as a mask but as a complement to the confidence and life inside you, and choosing routines and treatments that make you feel comfortable helps to do just that. 

Creating Balance
Blending inner and outer beauty is about balance, not extremes, and it’s absolutely possible to enjoy self-expression through makeup or treatments while also focusing on emotional and mental wellbeing, for example. The fact is that taking time for both self-care and appearance creates a more holistic sense of beauty, and that’s going to be more sustainable than anything else in the long run.  

One way to achieve balance is by creating daily rituals that touch on both. For example, a morning skincare routine paired with a short meditation can set the tone for the day, and good evening wind-down habits, like removing makeup while reflecting on positive moments from the day, can be perfect for both body and mind.

Final Thoughts
True beauty shines brightest when the inner and outer meet in harmony, and by investing in health, self-confidence, and personal care, and exploring professional support where it feels right, you can create a balance that feels both authentic and empowering.