Debra Basham

Living and Loving

Tag: AI

  • 333

    One morning she woke up at 3:33 am and was unable to go back to sleep.

    That afternoon, working in the kitchen, she glanced up to see the clock on the stove announcing it was 3:33 pm.

    Later that evening she was on a group text with a few of her closest family members, sharing intimately as they navigated the upcoming one-year anniversary of her sister’s passing. One of them wrote Jeremiah 33:3 .

    Asking AI the following morning what verse in the bible is 333, this came up:

    While there isn’t one single “333 Bible verse,” the number often points to Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (ESV). It’s a powerful message of divine communication, completeness (like the Trinity), and God’s promise to reveal Himself when sought, often linked to seeing the number 333 as a call to deeper prayer and seeking God’s guidance.

  • A New Look at Service

    Twice in the past several days I have have been invited to look at the habit energy of a person doing or not doing something in opposition to one’s own desire out of obligation or not wanting to offend, disappoint, or hurt another. I decided to put this situation to question using AI.

      Take time to identify what’s truly important to you in this situation. What are your personal goals, values, and limits? Sometimes saying yes to others means saying no to your needs.

      Acknowledge people-pleasing tendencies. Recognize that you’re tempted to agree to avoid conflict or gain approval. Understanding the root cause can be helpful in overcoming this behavior.

      Consider the source of the request, the quality of your relationship, and whether the favor aligns with your values and capacity to help. It’s normal to feel guilt or anxiety when you start setting boundaries. Acknowledge these feelings as part of the process and remember that saying no isn’t a rejection of the person, but a commitment to honoring yourself.

      Be direct and kind. State your needs and limitations clearly and assertively, but with respect for the other person. Avoid making excuses or over-explaining your decision.

      Use “I” statements to express needs and limits without sounding accusatory or confrontational. Saying no is a crucial aspect of establishing boundaries and prioritizing needs. It is important to honor true feelings and communicate expectations.

      If appropriate, suggest an alternative solution or a different way to help without compromising needs. Be firm and consistent: Once a boundary is set, stick to it, even if others push back.

      The wisest approach involves a process of self-discovery, respectful communication, and a commitment to prioritizing your own well-being without neglecting the needs of others. It’s about finding a healthy balance between being kind and considerate to others, and being true to yourself.

    Stacey and I had some heartfelt sharing about all of this on our bike ride while she was here last week. We spoke clear intentions to love one another and ourselves and to be willing to express with continued honesty and trust as circumstances change. And circumstances do…. that is for sure.

    I remember Betty Lue Lieber teaching us that our service must also serve us. The lyrics to the song “Garden Party” by Ricky Nelson come to mind:


    “But it’s all right now
    I learned my lesson well
    You see, you can’t please everyone
    So you got to please yourself.”

  • The Game of Life

    He took The Game of Life & How to Play It by Florence Scovel Shinn with him to the beach. They were not going to spend the whole day as they were planning to visit a friend. Arriving on the friend’s porch, he mentioned the book adding that it was a small book and perfect for beach reading, plus, it was something he had wanted to read for a long time.

    Soon their sharing became deep enough he was making a few notes on his phone. As their visit was winding down he said, “Earlier you shared a quote — until it is felt in the body, peace is just a word — and you did not give an attribution.” Then he asked, “Where did that come from?”

    “I don’t have an attribution,” she replied, “because someone shared it at church on Father’s Day without an attribution. I have not tried to find out where it came from but I find it to be very powerful.”

    He began reading to her the conclusion from his AI search for the attribution:

    The quote “Until it is felt in the body, peace is just a word” is most likely attributed to Florence Scovel Shinn….