April 17: ONE OF THE BEST SWAPS IS WHEN WE REPLACE WHO WE THOUGHT WE'D BE WITH WHO GOD THOUGHT WE'D BE.

Affirmation: I enjoy being creative.

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Ponder, Practice: Today as you are pondering and practicing, add verse 3 to your memorization.  Think about how a shepherd, green pastures, & quiet waters, refresh your soul. Then contemplate the guidance the shepherd gives to find the right paths. 

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 Authenticity. Let go of what others think.
I was reminded yesterday that God sees you and me as priceless masterpieces! Let’s be His authentic masterpiece.❤️

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews

The Responsible Decision 

The Buck Stops Here!

Each of you must be responsible to do your creative best with your life. Gal. 6:4

If decisions are choices…and our thinking dictates our decisions—then I am where I am because of my thinking.

The Responsible Decision for Personal Success represents the beginning. Taking responsibility for your past will segue you into an extraordinary future of your choosing.

My thoughts will be constructive---NEVER destructive.

Responsibility is about HOPE and Control. Make better choices.

The Responsible Decision

The Buck Stops Here.

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

April 17

ONE OF THE BEST SWAPS IS WHEN WE REPLACE WHO WE THOUGHT WE'D BE WITH WHO GOD THOUGHT WE'D BE.

The last will be first, and the first will be last. 

MATTHEW 20:16 

If you knew kids who were in theater or choir when you were in school, you knew the anticipation of auditions. Maybe you've tried out for a school play or a talent show and hoped you were destined for stardom. 
You can get knocked down a few notches when you learn your assessment of your talents doesn't match up with everyone else's. Very few people aspire to the role of the donkey in the stable to witness Jesus' birth or set their sights on playing tambourine behind the band or becoming vice president someday. 

Even more difficult to accept than the role of Tree #4 is the supporting role we often play in real life. We might not admit it, but most of us imagined ourselves growing up to take the lead. If it's business, we imagine ourselves as the boss. If it's ministry, we envision ourselves as lead pastors. Aspiring writers dream of bestselling books, and musicians dream of hit singles. 

But God's kingdom doesn't work like the world. Jesus said the real heroes are the servants, the ones who take cuts to the back of the line. He said our impact isn't measured by our accolades but by the sacrifices we make. 

We'll know we're growing when we let God replace who we thought we'd be with who He thought we'd be. Your face might not be on the cover and your song might not be on the charts, but you'll be more humble. It won't be our successes that point people toward Jesus; it will be our kindness. 

What can you do today to step into God's invitation to love others like He does?