Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Life is creative, and so are you. Let the creative energy of the universe come alive for you. Let it help you bring your creativity alive.

p. 235, journey to the heart, melody beattie

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
p. 275, God will make a way, Cloud and Townsend

New Testament loving god of forgiveness

This failure is due to the failure of the law, or the commands of the Old Testament, to transform us into acceptable people.

Self effort and willpower alone cannot do the trick. The law, while true and righteous, is insufficient to make someone lovable or acceptable.

In fact, one of it’s very purposes is to show us our sin and need for God’s grace. … Many people do not understand this.

Instead, they think, if I work hard enough at it, I can be good enough. This mentality is always deemed to fail.

p. 266, god will make a way, Cloud and Townsend.

…follow these ten steps to freedom:

1. Turn to God and ask him for forgiveness.
2. Look at the reality of your failure and take it seriously.
3. If there are others you have hurt, …ask for forgiveness, and be reconciled.
4. Confess your failures to another person who understands God’s forgiveness…
5. Work to make false standards and messages in your head more realistic.
6. Get in community with other people and open up with each other, so they know you and you them.
7. Do an entire moral inventory of your life, as far as you can remember, and completely as you can.
8. Finally, claim your clean slate and go on from there in freedom.
9. When you have accusing voices in your head, remember, they are lies.
10. Memorize scripture.

pp. 260-262, god will make a way, Cloud and Townsend

Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
The rest is up to that person and God.

p. 258, god will make a way, Cloud & Townsend

Yet when we do not have access to all of ourselves, and when those parts of us are not loved and in the process of healing and growth, then life does not work well for us.

p. 241, discouragement and depression, god will find a way, Cloud and Townsend.

That’s how it is on our journey. We may find ourselves in a situation we don’t know how to handle. So we start spinning our wheels in frustration, confusion, or fear. What we know is we want out. Sometimes we need to get through that time of spinning our wheels in order to get to the next place, the place where we slow down and figure out what to do next. Sometimes our frustration helps generate energy to get momentum going in the general direction of solving the problem.

p. 234, journey to the heart, melody beattie

Simple tasks can take us back to the rhythm, the way of life we’re seeking.

The simple tasks are important not just because they need to be done. The simple tasks are the microcosm of how our lives work. The keep us grounded in reality, they remind us of what’s real, they show us how life works. They will lead us into the way of life we’re seeking, if we approach them the right way. Do the laundry. Do the dishes. … Do these tasks with respect.

p. 233, journey to the heart, Melody Beattie

May integrity and uprightness protect me.
because my hope, Lord, is in you.