The Environment Where Grace Flows

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The other day I was listening to some talks on business and the style of business was very high pressure. It really got me thinking about how we create the environment where grace flows, because putting a bunch of pressure on other people is not the way. When grace flows everything is easy, elegant, energizing, fun, and simple. An environment that is not full of grace feels very judgmental, high pressure, with a lot of effort, complex, and it depletes energy.

Today's communion is a time of gratitude for God's grace and we are asking for his help to create the environment where grace flows in our relationship with him, in our purpose, health, family, finances, order, time, and community. 

Here are a few things I have learned about how to create this environment...

Order and positioning are very important - I think of staying positioned in the light with humility, forgiveness, love, and gratitude as the first prerequisite.

Take the pressure off of yourself and others. The pressure is meant to go onto God. A lot of people talk about casting their cares onto God but very few people do it. The way I teach my kids is by thinking of a garden hose. If you squeeze the middle or end of the hose the flow of water is blocked. 

Start small and do less but do it beautifully. This takes a lot of pressure off.

Give the grace of extended time. Giving ourselves and others longer time periods to get things done takes so much pressure off and increases the flow of grace.

Have more fun - Joy, fun, and presence all go together and they are a signal that grace is flowing. 

Today's Workout Health Tip

People often ask about the best time to work out. The best time to work out is the time you can be consistent with. Our bodies love rhythm and the body will adapt to whatever time we choose. Keep in mind that working out at a different time that is not our normal rhythm will cause the workout to feel different. So, if the weights feel heavier on these days it's normal. If you decide to work out at night as your regular time, then keep in mind that exercise wakes up the body and some people have a harder time falling asleep at night. This can be fixed by eating a banana or some sweeter fruit before bed, because they relax the body. 

I am praying for you. 

Daniel