Thursday, March 20, 2025

Welcome to The Smart Edit newsletter! Spring, and probably your allergy issues begin today.

This issue … get behind me, Self!, birth rates declining, and more. 🎧️ Audio message included.

SIgn up for the Smart Edit here.

P.S. — Ever wondered how spring rejuvenates creativity? 🤔 

Get behind me, Self!

At The Smart Edit, we’re all about diving into the ways of Jesus—what it truly means to know Him and be shaped by Him as his apprentices. One of the most transformative things He does in our lives is address our old nature. But here’s the thing: we’re not passive in this process. We have a part to play.

Christians talk a lot about spiritual attack—Satan trying to throw us off course, mess with our plans, or keep us from walking in God’s will.

But have you considered that some of our biggest battles don’t come from Satan, at least in a direct way❓️ 

The Bible names two other enemies that are just as dangerous: the world and the flesh.

See 1 John 2.15-17 and Ephesians 2.1-3.

The world pulls at us with its false promises—security in “success”, worth in approval, and temporary pleasures.

And the flesh? That’s the old self, always whispering for us to chase selfishness and indulge in sin. We put our desires above God’s.

Ah, the old nature, the flesh … this is what we may want to prioritize. 😬

👿 The devil made me do it!

. . .

[For more on ‘Get behind me, Self!’ … read the complete article here.]

🎧️ New on the pod

Flood the zone—overwhelm your stuckness with action. Feeling stuck in work, relationships, faith, or personal goals? We’re focusing on “flooding the zone”—an approach to overwhelm your "stuckness" with massive action. Break the cycle. Spotify.

Navigating a new era

Fewer babies are being born than ever. In 2023, the U.S. recorded just 3.6 million births—the lowest since 1979. The fertility rate? The lowest since records began in 1909. And it’s still dropping.

The Congressional Budget Office projects a continued decline, with a total fertility rate of 1.60 births per woman—far below the replacement level of 2.1.

It’s not just America. Europe saw its biggest birth slowdown in 60 years. China recorded only 9.5 million births in 2024—its second-lowest ever.

What does this mean for the future? Culture. Economics. Family life. All of it is shifting.

As believers, it’s a moment to reflect. Are we valuing life as we should? Investing in the next generation? The Kingdom thrives through multiplication—both spiritually and naturally. What is the biblical worldview?

Something to think about.

Adapted from LinkedIn news article

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it …’” (Genesis 1.27-28a NKJV).

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table” (Psalm 128.3 ESV).

Inflammaging: how chronic inflammation speeds up aging and what you can do to fight it. Simple lifestyle strategies.

The decline of Christianity in the U.S. appears to have slowed, possibly leveling off. Slightly above 6 in 10 Americans “identify” as Christians.

Peeved. If it seems like rudeness is on the rise, you’re not alone in noticing. Nearly half of U.S. adults (47%) believe public behavior has gotten worse since the pandemic (Pew Research).

Friendships: enrich your life and improve your health (Mayo Clinic). Good friends are good for your health.

Cultural tide turning. In the past three years, Americans have shifted significantly against policies promoting transgender ideology. There’s been growing support for laws that ban gender-altering surgeries and injections for minors, protect women’s spaces in sports and public accommodations, and restrict the teaching of transgender ideology in schools.

This temple has a solid foundation … just a little too much padding on the walls. 🏛️😆🍕

📩 SIgn up for the Smart Edit here.

Related newsletter: Confession to your Father unleashes the true you

LexiQuest: Felicitous (fəˈlisədəs) — Well chosen or suited to the circumstances, pleasant, delightful. “The rain on their wedding day ended up being felicitous, as it made for a cozy indoor ceremony.” Source: WordDaily

Trivia answer: C) Day and night are nearly equal in length