“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” I listened as a speaker explained the “60-20” principle, claiming that when we initially meet someone we have sixty seconds to create a lasting impact. The first twenty seconds focuses on appearance, the next twenty on behavior, and the final twenty on words.
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Who Am I?
I am a follower of Jesus.Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net. I shouldn’t need to say that–my actions and words ought to convey such a foundational aspect of my identity. But I fear that’s often not what really happens.
Continue readingMore TagThe Choice Of Agape
I recall the first time I encountered the idea that love is a decision rather than a feeling. I didn’t like the notion of removing the romance and mystery from “falling in love.” As anyone who has ever experienced that fall will testify, I suspect there’s little chance of altering the delightful, unpredictable confusion of eros. And I’ve […]
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I think of myself as a rather simplistic guy. I like to discover basic truths and essential principles. In this sort of quest, I frequently recall a quote from another principle-seeker: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” – Albert Einstein Following Jesus sometimes becomes complex. We become lost in debate about intricate […]
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Our culture is confused about love. Certainly there’s no shortage of references to the concept. We sing about love, read about love, and dream about love. We search for it (often in all the wrong places), celebrate when we find it, and grieve when we lose it. One of the biggest holidays of the year commemorates our apparent […]
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The question confronted me again this weekend: “What’s your book about?” I’ve stumbled over a number of minimally-satisfying answers, but Valentine’s Day prompts me to try a new approach. Relentless Grace is about LOVE.
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When it comes to listening to God, I’m a decidedly slow learner. It usually seems that He has to “prompt” me a number of times before I get the message. I’m trying to learn that when I encounter the same thought multiple times, perhaps I ought to pay attention.
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A friend reminded me yesterday of the subtle, subversive nature of sin. He pointed out how the world offers many shiny promises of hope and fulfillment. Money, possessions, and accomplishments dangle before us constantly, cleverly tempting us to swallow the lure of false security.
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I like metaphors. Perhaps I’m a bit simple-minded, but I’ve encountered a few metaphors that seem to help me as I stumble my way along my path. One illustration that incorporates a lot of meaning in many circumstances is The Story of the Jar. I won’t repeat the story, but please click the link if […]
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Everybody’s got a story. As I listen to reader reactions to Relentless Grace, I’m more convinced than ever of this truth: everybody’s got a story.
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Last week I wrote about The Story of the Jar. I won’t repeat the story, but please click the link if you’re not familiar with this metaphor. As I’ve discussed this demonstration with various groups, I’m always struck by the variety of lessons that emerge. Today I’d like to think about the finite capacity of […]
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I recall Martin Luther King as a scary figure. Unrest and violence seemed to surround him. As a kid I really didn’t appreciate the significance of the issues, didn’t recognize the injustice. I grew up in the mostly white Midwest, and all I saw was disruption to what seemed a pretty safe, peaceful world.
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