February 12 LOVE'S PLAN IS PRETTY SIMPLE: WE'RE SUPPOSED TO LOVE EVERYBODY, ALWAYS.

Affirmation: I am doing my best and that is enough.

Lord, grant that anger or other bitterness not reign over me, but that your grace, genuine kindness, loyalty, faithfulness, generosity & gentleness May reign in me. Amen 

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Guidepost 8: Cultivating Calm and Stillness and Letting Go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle

GET GOING

We're going to practice stillness and breathing for five minutes for five days. If you already do yoga or have a meditation practice, this will just be additional practice for you. If this is new for you (like it is for me), it will likely be uncomfortable, and we'll probably feel like posers. Let's breathe into it and see what happens. Write down your experiences in your journal.

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Persistent Decision 

7. I WILL PERSIST WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

I possess the greatest power ever bestowed upon mankind. I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course. I do not quit.

I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in, but I am not “most people.”

I am stronger than most people. Average people compare themselves with other people, and that is why they remain average.

I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory. By persisting without exception, my outcome—my success—is assured.

It is my wish that you have gained something positive and productive from reading about these seven decisions.

I strongly believe that there is nothing you can’t do if you have the proper mindset and conviction.-Andy Andrews

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

Feb. 12

LOVE'S PLAN IS PRETTY SIMPLE: WE'RE SUPPOSED TO LOVE EVERYBODY, ALWAYS. 

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

MATTHEW 910-11 

 

If you ever went to camp or joined the Scouts as a kid, you knew the insecurity that came with the trips. We were thrown onto smelly buses with lots of new faces, and it was unclear where we'd fit (or whether we'd fit at all). It quickly became dear whether you were in with the cool kids or you were out, and it was a long week if you were out.

 

We'd like to think we've left those days behind, but our adult lives can look pretty similar. Most of us still try to huddle up with the cool kids and, in a subtle way, blast it on social media. It's no different than those bus rides. The definition of cool has just been tweaked a little bit.

 

What's crazy is that Jesus spent His whole life engaging the people most of us spend our whole lives avoiding. He found people who thought they were "out" and said they were in. He didn't vet the guy on the cross next to Him. He said, ''I'll see you in paradise."

 

Even wilder, Jesus also showed love to the self-righteous people who excluded those He loved. He called them out but also let them know there was always more room for humble people. When He said to love our neighbors and our enemies, He didn't just mean the easy ones. He meant everyone.

 

What kind of person do you find it most difficult to love? Jesus says they're in. Don't act like they aren't. Get to know them. I know it'll be difficult, but it will be worth it.

 

What kinds of people are hard for you to love?