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…)
Happy Monday! Welcome to word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back.
Today’s word is:
STRUGGLE
Whatever the struggle, continue the climb.
It may be only one step to the summit. Diane Westlake
As a teacher, I often joked with kids that if they were as creative and persistent in doing the work as they were in avoiding it, they would achieve amazing results.
I think we’re all a bit like that. I put a lot of effort into avoiding struggle. Given the choice, I rarely choose the more difficult path.
But we all know the easy route usually doesn’t get you to the best destination. So if I want to accomplish important goals, struggle is going to be part of the equation.
My dictionary defines struggle as to proceed with difficulty or with great effort.
When I think about struggle, I tend to focus on “difficulty” and “great effort,” But the key word here is “proceed.” Even when it’s tough, I need to continue.
Difficulty’s part of the deal. Worthwhile stuff requires effort. Once I accept those facts of life, I can remove my eyes from the struggle and focus on reaching the destination. Like my students, I can re-direct my energy toward reaching the goal.
Then I can proceed.
It’s better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you’re fighting for. Paulo Coelho
What’s a struggle you need to accept so you can proceed in pursuit of your dream?
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. Forward the link to someone who might be interested. Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email. Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook. Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter. Join theRelentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans. Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
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
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 
Happy Monday! Welcome to word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back.
Someone put up a 
… is most dangerous when you stare at it.
