I’m currently in the midst of a fascinating small-group study of Timothy Keller’s book The Prodigal God. It’s a wonderful analysis of a familiar story—I highly recommend the book, unless you’re opposed to having old ideas challenged a bit.
Most of us are familiar with The Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32) Cliff notes version: younger son demands his share of the inheritance, wanders off and squanders it. Homeless, hungry, and humiliated, he decides to return home and beg his father for a job. Dad sees him coming, rushes to greet him, and throws a lavish party. Older brother resents Dad’s unconditional welcome.(more…)
If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room. Anita Roddick
Do you ever wonder if what you do matters?
When you send words into cyberspace every day, it’s an important question. It’s easy to wonder if those words make any difference, if anyone would care if they didn’t show up.
I’m not thinking about numbers and success and making money. You can measure that stuff easily. But does it really change anything?
I’m thinking that we often don’t recognize the significance of our actions. Maybe the most important things we do pass unnoticed. (more…)
Here’s our newest contribution to the One-Word-At-A-Time Blog Carnival. I encourage you to click the link and check out some of the other carnival attractions. This week’s word is:
GOODNESS
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [Galatians 5:22-23]
When you proclaim God is good, what exactly do you mean?
As a practical matter, what does the goodness that’s a fruit of the Spirit look like? (more…)
Happy Monday, and welcome to word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back. Today’s word is:
EXECUTION
Ever get a great idea, mess with it, dream about it, develop a bunch of possibilities, talk to others about it—everything except actually doing something about it?
Ever see something really fun and think, “I couldda done that?”
Ever wonder why folks with inferior ideas get so much more accomplished?
Yeah—me too.
The difference between thinking and talking about something and actually doing something with it is execution.
It doesn’t matter what’s involved. Maybe a business idea, a program at church, a hobby you want to develop—it might be as simple as cleaning off your desk or deleting old files from your computer. But until you execute, it’s all just unproductive use of brain space.
What do you want to move from the “wish I would do it” pile to the “did it” pile?
Here’s to a week of less wishing and more execution.
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back. Today’s tip:
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
For me, one of the absolute principles of scripture is Romans 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose.
I believe that. It’s been my source of hope in some dark moments when I could find no reason to continue the struggle. However, I suspect that I tend to see this wonderful assurance through a distorted lens.
I suspect that my perceptions of “good” mostly translate to “what I want.” (more…)
God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. Shakespeare
Are you different?
As a wheelchair user, I’m probably hypersensitive to differences. Even after twenty-two years of rolling around, I still feel uncomfortably conspicuous.
My inability to stand up makes me stand out—or at least that’s how it seems to me. (more…)
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. Abraham Lincoln
Which one are you?
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28]
… isn’t always as clear as I think.
God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. Shakespeare 
