October 26 Faith Isn’t a Series of Flashcards to Memorize.
Affirmation: I choose to be resilient. I switch from competition to collaboration.
As a lawyer, one of the things, I’m really good at is memorization. All the codes and rules and laws are snap for me to access. Lawyers have to memorize a lot to pass the bar exams and try cases, so this was a good fit for me.
Sometimes I wonder if we give too much importance to the power of memorization in our faith. Don’t get me wrong. I read the Bible a ton and try to find truths God has left for us there. Some of us were told to memorize scriptures when we were young, so we drilled verses into our minds like kids cramming for the big test. We memorized doctrine, too, so we could explain our faith to people. We were told to be ready to give an account for it at all times. What didn’t get a lot of air time was doing these things with gentleness and respect.
When we merely memorize our faith like cramming for a test, we download a bunch of information, but the problem is we’re not transformed by it. What if, instead, we memorized grace the way we memorize songs? Here’s why. When we memorize songs we play them on repeat as we go about our days. Years later we can still sing the words. When we memorize music, it becomes part of us and shapes us. It moves us to reach out to people and makes us feel less lonely. We don’t memorize music the way we crammed for tests; we learn it by allowing it to become part of us.
Let’s memorize grace. We don’t need to download doctrine like we prepared for tests with flashcards. God doesn’t need a lawyer to defend Him. He’s stronger than the whole world. Instead of memorizing a few verses and calling it good, listen to grace and let it transform your whole life.
What part of God’s character are you learning these days?
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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: We have taken time to ponder and personalize James 1:5 today be deliberate about practicing this promising verse. Make it part of your daily practice and conversation with God. Seek wisdom in the big things and the little things.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”James 1:5 NIV~~~~~~~~~~~
Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown
Guidepost 3: Cultivating Your Resilient Spirit, Letting Go of Numbing and Powerlessness
Start Practicing:
Recognize that resilience is a skill you can build through intentional practice. Then, start practicing with these 6 approaches to develop crazy-good resilience.
Bring awareness to your go-to numbing strategies. Is it food? TV? Your smartphone? Pornography? Alcohol? Awareness of these moments creates a fork-in-the-road, where you can choose a new path.
Ask yourself: “Would I like to step forward into courage? Or step back into comfort?” (Good time to see wisdom.😊)
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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews
The Active Decision
3. I AM A PERSON OF ACTION. I am Resilient
I will create a new future by creating a new me. I inspire others with my activity. I am a leader. I will create a habit of lively behavior.
I will walk with a spring in my step and a smile on my face. My activity will create a wave of success for the people who follow me. As a leader, I have the ability to encourage and inspire others to greatness. I do not fear failure, because failure exists only for the person who quits.
I do not quit. I am courageous. I am a leader. I seize the moment. I choose now. I am resilient.
From Jacque:
When you come to the fork in the road and you choose between resilience or numbing, be deliberate. You won’t get it right every time. But be self-compassionate and keep learning and cultivating resilience through your actions. (Seek wisdom.)
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Reading for Today
Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff
October 26
Faith Isn’t A Series Of Flashcards To Remember. Memorize Grace.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15
As a lawyer, one of the things, I’m really good at is memorization. All the codes and rules and laws are snap for me to access. Lawyers have to memorize a lot to pass the bar exams and try cases, so this was a good fit for me.
Sometimes I wonder if we give too much importance to the power of memorization in our faith. Don’t get me wrong. I read the Bible a ton and try to find truths God has left for us there. Some of us were told to memorize scriptures when we were young, so we drilled verses into our minds like kids cramming for the big test. We memorized doctrine, too, so we could explain our faith to people. We were told to be ready to give an account for it at all times. What didn’t get a lot of air time was doing these things with gentleness and respect.
When we merely memorize our faith like cramming for a test, we download a bunch of information, but the problem is we’re not transformed by it. What if, instead, we memorized grace the way we memorize songs? Here’s why. When we memorize songs we play them on repeat as we go about our days. Years later we can still sing the words. When we memorize music, it becomes part of us and shapes us. It moves us to reach out to people and makes us feel less lonely. We don’t memorize music the way we crammed for tests; we learn it by allowing it to become part of us.
Let’s memorize grace. We don’t need to download doctrine like we prepared for tests with flashcards. God doesn’t need a lawyer to defend Him. He’s stronger than the whole world. Instead of memorizing a few verses and calling it good, listen to grace and let it transform your whole life.
What part of God’s character are you learning these days?
Grace and mercy
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