April 16: HEAVEN TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND HELD IT BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE.

Affirmation: I allow myself to love who I am, not who I “should” be.

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Ponder: Focus on the first 2 verses. What do you learn about God in these 2 verses? Think about a shepherd and what he does for those in his care. God is YOUR shepherd.🩷

1“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2.He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ‭‭Psalm‭ 23‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown 

Cultivate Laughter, Song and Dance. Let Go of “cool” and in control.

Brene’ Brown writes about singing and dancing in the kitchen with her family. In our house the singing and dancing usually happens in the family room with our grandchildren and children. Laughter often erupts when we are singing and dancing! 😍

We sing and dance to Baby Shark and the Floor is Lava. 

What are your songs for singing snd dancing?

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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 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

April 16

HEAVEN TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND HELD IT BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE.

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. 

GENESIS 28:15 

Every time my parents drove through a tunnel when I was a kid, I used to hold my breath and make a wish, sure it would come true if I could hold it to the end of the tunnel. Anticipation built as my face turned red. I would stretch in my seat to catch a glimpse of the crack of light announcing the end was near. It was the nervous excitement of knowing there was life on the other side, if only I could make it. 

 

I think that's what heaven felt like in the days between Jesus' death and resur­rection. God watched as sadness swept through His people. They had lost their only hope, and they didn't know if there would be life on the other side of it. They saw no crack of light in the darkness. So heaven took a deep breath and held it because everything was about to change. 

God knew it was coming. The angels took a breath in anticipation. They knew in just a few days Jesus would kick death in the teeth, burst out of the tomb, and call His loved ones by their names. God sees things we can't see from our tiny corners of the universe, so when He tells us not to be afraid, we can believe Him. He sees the light at the end of the stretch we're anxious about, so He tells us not to worry. He knows life is waiting for us when we step out in trust. Grab His hand today. You don't need to close your eyes or hold your breath. Just take a step. 

God is doing something unseen in your life. What trusting next step can you take?