Sept 24 He Painted Himself into the Picture

Affirmation: I choose to be authentic. I allow all parts of myself to be acknowledged. 

I am a work in progress. 

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Today ponder and meditate on the glorious splendor of God’s majesty. Recite this verse as you walk, drive, work, sit. Remember that the people around you are made in God’s image and are a reflection of His glorious splendor.❤️

Psalm 145:5 “They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.”

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Cultivate Calm and Stillness. Let Go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle.

Create a Calm Map

Steps 3, 4, 5

3. On the facing page, you will create a "calm map." First, select a background decoration for your page. This could be an image of an old map, a collage or a picture that represents a journey toward calm. Feel free to decorate your page how you like, but make sure you can still write over it.

4. To get started on your map, it might help to think of a time when you were stressed out and what helped you to get calm again. On the bottom of your map, write a "map legend" or "foundation" for calm. What simple guidelines help you hold calm as a practice in your everyday life? For example, this might be cutting out caffeine, exercising, getting enough sleep and avoiding violent images.

5. Moving up your map, start to write out the core strategies that help you to decrease your anxiety and cultivate calm. Breathing and asking questions are important parts of Brené's practice. Add as many steps and strategies as needed. (I tried to attach a pic of my map but it didn’t work🥴)

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews

The Compassionate Decision 

6. I WILL GREET THIS DAY WITH A FORGIVING SPIRIT.

By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I will forgive those who have criticized me unjustly.

I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. I forgive their lack of vision, and I forge ahead.

I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity. I will forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love by Bob Goff

                      September 24

God Didn’t Create The World And Step Back To Admire It. He Painted Himself Into The Picture. 

The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:14

I saw some artwork a while back where this guy painted himself into scenes of a city. I don’t mean he painted a city and disguised himself in it. I mean he went to an actual location, took a picture, went back to a studio, and painted a tight fitting suit that he would wear and look exactly like a spot in the real place. Then he’d go back wearing his city suit, stand in the same spot, and someone would photograph him like a human chameleon. Trying to find him was like a human Where’s Waldo game. 

This got me thinking about God and how He saw that we had gotten ourselves into a big mess with wars and factions and hate. He saw us turning on one another and using one another for our own ends, when we were made to give ourselves away. Instead of scolding us or sending fire to consume us, God painted Himself into creation. But unlike the artist, He wasn’t trying to hide in what He had made. He was trying to help. In short, Jesus jumped into the canvas and got down into the mess with us.

When you look around you and see something you don’t like, try to resist the urge to criticize from afar. Be like Jesus and throw yourself into the situation so you can be part of the change. It’s easy to hide and criticize, to stay hidden and lob your insults or discontent across the fence. I’ve never met a courageous cynic. Paint yourself into the picture instead.

What have you been criticizing, and when will you stop?