February 18 WE CAN'T BE NEW CREATIONS IF EVERYTHING STAYS THE SAME.

Affirmation: I accept my fears and doubts and move forward anyway.

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27)
Worry will discourage us to take even the smallest step. In many cases, it’s not that God’s unable to perform miracles rather it’s us who refuse to take that one small step needed to be the starting point for God’s miracle.

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Guidepost 9: Cultivating Meaningful Work, Letting Go of Self-Doubt and Supposed-To

GET INSPIRED

The definition of courage in this course is sharing your story with your whole heart. Feel free to share your three words for "meaningful work," your superpower and/or your kryptonite by posting them on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #OLCBreneCourse! You can also share with a supportive friend or family member anything else that inspired you this week: a valuable phrase from the lesson, creative work from your journal, or an inspiration from your everyday life. (For tips on how to post a photo online, check out our FAQs .)
From Jacque: Kryptonite- Doubt, frustration and being alone. These are the opposites of courage compassion and connection in my mind. When I feel these I lose my superpower.

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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

Jan. 18

WE CAN'T BE NEW CREATIONS IF EVERYTHING STAYS THE SAME. 

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

LUKE 10:41-42  

 

Ask a few folks how they're doing today, and I guarantee you at least one will raise their eyebrows and say, "Busy!" Whether it's a mom juggling soccer practices and gymnastics, or a college student keeping up with classes and running for student government, or the person working at Arby's slicing the roast beef, everyone has their head down and their plate full of activity. It's not surprising that we often find our identity in the things we accomplish. We let responsibilities and activities in our lives build layer by layer on top of us until we finally break underneath them.

 

A lot of beauty gets buried in that hustle. What most of us long for, more than anything else, is a community where we can simply be known and loved. We want to be seen for who we actually are, not what we do or the person we appear to be. And we want to see others in their vulnerability too. This is the deepest need we all feel, and it's the easiest to meet in one another when we choose to make ourselves available.

 

If your schedule robs you of the joy of simply being fully present with the people you love, then it's time to quit a couple of things. We can't be new crea­tions if everything stays the same. Don't feel stuck in all your activities; bail on the few that are robbing you of your ability to be present with the people you love the most. Friendship and hospitality are central to our new identity, and we can't welcome people into our lives if we're too busy to be available to them.

 

Quit something today. A job, a habit, a hobby, or sport that is stealing you away from the ones you love the most. You've been given not only permission by God to prioritize people over projects but the agency to do something about it.

 

What activities are getting in the way of your experiencing deeper love?