March 23 DON'T SEPARATE INTO GROUPS WHAT GOD SAID WAS A FAMILY.

Affirmation: Instead of Telling People What They Want, Tell Them Who They Are. 

You are:-God’s incredible creation.-Loved immensely and intensely.-Courageous, Compassionate and Connected -Talented, gifted and capable -Kind, loving, and thoughtful -Handsome and Beautiful 

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown 

Cultivate Creativity. Let Go of Comparison.

My Intention: I am a creative being.

Today write 4-5 permission slips for yourself and carry them in your pocket to remind yourself of what you have permission to do.
From Jacque: I started doing a monthly Creative Workshop at our church. It is one of my permission slips: I can be creative with friends.
I give myself permission to make mistakes and learn more.
I give myself permission to do things I am not good at.
I give myself permission to ask for what I need.
Take a minute or two and write your permission slips.

~~~~~Ponder, Personalize, Practice: As a practice this verse today, I have been thinking about times when I receive Gods Grace through faith. I often reaffirm that decision as a reminder to myself and with gratitude to God. How will you practice the grace of God through faith?
Ephesians 2:8–10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

March 23

DON'T SEPARATE INTO GROUPS WHAT 

GOD SAID WAS A FAMILY.

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. 

REVELATION 7:9 

 

My friend, Ben, is an amazing musician. He writes songs and travels around the country playing the piano and jumping on stages with his guitar. Maria and I go to his shows every chance we get; we sing the words to his songs we've memorized, which is all of them, and we elbow each other at the first note of our favorites. 

I've noticed concerts bring people together like few things do these days. You'll see guys in tailored suits squished between women wearing bandanas and cutoff jeans. You could be next to someone you've always had a hard time with and still smile and sing without even thinking about it. 

I think shows like my friend Ben's give us a little glimpse of heaven. God never intended for us to separate into groups; He calls us a family. He doesn't want a bunch of people going it alone either. Think symphony, not soloist. He said we were brothers and sisters, that we belong to one another and we don't need to settle for just tolerating one another. Sure, family members don't always see eye to eye and there are times we might not even choose one another; but still, try. Is it going to be tough at times? Of course it will. Is it possible you'll take a hit? You will. Do it anyway. 

It's okay to surround yourself with people who are loving and supportive and easy to be with, but huddles are best when they're open for more people to join. The next time you have a tough run-in with a family member or an old friend from high school on the internet, go to a concert with them, tap your feet, sing the words you know, and don't worry about the ones you don't. Don't let the difficulties you've had with someone keep you from singing along together. 

Who are you drawn to even though they're so different from you? What can you do to get closer to them?