August 27 No Maps…Just People to go With

Affirmation: Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. (This is one of my favorite affirmations! ❤️)
I am grateful for my beautiful life.
Two years ago today at Cypress, we celebrated 42 years with Douglas as the lead pastor and as he stepped back Eric stepped up as our lead pastor.  We are excited for our future as we continue to serve and follow God as individuals and as a a church.———Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Continue to ponder Psalm 34:10 as you memorize it.  Think about the strength and power of lions. The king of the jungle. They may grow weak and hungry, but the promise for us is even stronger. My focus is still on the last phrase: but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34‬:‭10‬ ‭~~~~~~~~
Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Guidepost 4: Cultivating Gratitude and Joy, Letting go of Scarcity and Fear of the Dark

Think about something you are nervous about. Now consider that same situation, write down or speak out loud 2-3 things you are grateful for.
Repeat as needed. -JP
(Situation: fundraising for Springs of Hope Kenya in Nakuru and Shiloh School in St.Louis du Nord, Haiti.
You can donate here & invite your friends.❤️❤️❤️

-Grateful that I can make a difference for the leaders, staffs and children in Kenya and Haiti
-Grateful for people who care for and financially support these children.
-Grateful that God is in control and not me.)
——-

Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews
The Compassionate Decision 

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
I am grateful for God’s compassion and forgiveness for me. I follow His example.
————
Reading for Today
Walk in Grace. Live in Love by Bob Goff
                               AUGUST 27 

GOD DOESN’T GIVE US MAPS TO FOLLOW. HE GIVES US PEOPLE TO GO WITH. 

Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. JOHN 1:38–39 

If you have ever taken a road trip with friends, you probably have found yourself driving in the wrong direction at some point. Perhaps the exit for fast food looped around and put you back on the highway. Maybe you left without a map and sped off in the wrong direction simply because it was Saturday and you had a full tank of gas. 

Somehow the wrong turns always turned out all right, didn’t they? Even if we didn’t have maps, we still had our friends with us. We had someone making the playlist, creating a soundtrack for our inside jokes, and beautiful scenery to enjoy. We had a back-seat driver to help us find our way—someone who drove us nuts most of the time and then saved us some of the time. I’m glad about that. Life with Jesus feels a lot like those road trips. God doesn’t give us detailed maps to follow; He gives us people to go with. It doesn’t matter which direction we go, because He’s more concerned about who we become along the way than where we go with our lives. And the people around us are the ones who will shape us—they’ll remind us who we are and what’s most important when we get off track. 

Next time you’re anxious about whether your plans are taking you in the right direction, call up a friend and go for a drive. No matter where you end up, you’ll be better off when you have a friend you can travel with. 

Who are the friends you call to ride shotgun with you in life?

I am grateful for my family and friends who make this “trip of life” beautiful…it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

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