Sept 11 Sad…Not Afraid

Affirmation: My feelings deserve to be expressed. Be honest, but kind.

All feelings matter. It is about being true to ourselves, honest with how we feel and what we want, and willing to engage in authentic conversations with other people, especially when we don’t feel or want the same things they do. —copied from https://mike-robbins.com/your-feelings-matter/

(Click link for whole article.)

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: This morning begin to personalize this powerful statement and promise. I have read about grief and mourning in two different readings this morning. Maybe you need strength for the grief you have.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Cultivate Creativity. Let Go of Comparison.

(From Study Guide for Gifts of Imperfection)HEALING OUR CREATIVE WOUNDS

We are encouraged to be creative as children, but then many of us start hearing messages that we're not good enough. How can we heal these creative wounds with positive messages?

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

Your journal, permanent markers (different colors), Band-Aids and any other art supplies you'd like to use to decorate your page.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Open your journal to a new page. Using a red permanent marker, write down all the negative messages about creativity you have heard in your life, both directly and from society in general.

2. Now, cover these messages with Band-Aids.

3. Using a permanent marker in a different color, write healing messages to yourself on top of the Band-Aids.

4. Use any other art supplies you'd like to decorate your page of creative, healing messages.

Let Go of Comparison…you are creative.

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews

7 The Persistent Decision 

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 acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in, but I am not “most people.”

I am stronger than most people. Average people compare themselves with other people, and that is why they remain average.

I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory. By persisting without exception, my outcome—my success—is assured.

It is my wish that you have gained something positive and productive from reading about these seven decisions.

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

September 11

     We’re Sad, But We’re Not Afraid 

The master told his servant, “go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” Luke 14:23 

The United States took a devastating hit in 2001 when airplanes flew into the World Trade Center. I remember rushing home from work to explain to my kids what had happened. I didn’t want them to hear it from anyone else. As we held hands, trying to process the tragedy together, I told them it was OK to feel sad, but we didn’t have to be afraid. A lot of the rhetoric quickly started to sound like fear. People feared other countries and other religions. Some of us feared refugees who had been driven to the United States by wars in their homeland. Tragedy can incite major fears in us – sometimes irrational fears. I have friends in some countries where a great deal of violence happens. These friends are nothing like the extremists. They are kind hearted and hospitable. They love their kids and love their neighbors. They’re a lot like us.

While our country has recovered from the tragedy in 2001, we tend to find reasons to fear one another still. Some of this is well placed, but most of it isn't. God doesn't want us to live in fear; He wants us to engage the world with love. God's brand of love casts out fear. When we become friends with people who are different from us, love begins to take hold and grow. Love grows as we sit around tables with our neighbors who live across the street or across an ocean, sharing meals and stories. We can't love our neighbors if we don't know them. 

Next time you find yourself fearing an entire group of people you don’t understand, find a way to connect with them. Figure out an experience you can share with them, no matter how small. This is where the good stuff always starts.

So, who will you reach out to?